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Charlie’s Party. Page 128 



\ 






1 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 

f 



AMANDA M. DOUGLAS, 

II 

AUTHOR OF “ KATHIE’S AUNT RUTH,'’ “ KATHIE’S SUMMER AT CEDARWOOD,‘» 
“ KATHIE’S SOLDIERS,” “ IN THE RANKS,” “ KATUIE’s HARVEST DAYS,” 

“in trust,” etc. 


\ 


BOSTON: 

LEE AND SHEPARD, PUBLISHERS 


■ 




kM 

\ 



Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1870, by 
LEE AND SHEPARD, 

in the Ofl&ce of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 
Copyright, 1898, by Amanda M. Douglas. 

All Rights Reserved. 

Kathie’s Three Wishes. 

TWO COPIES ^£C-!\r^O. 



Berwick & Smith, Norwood, Mass., U.8.A. 


O % 




TO 


Chilton at Mithliffe Cattagt, 

IDA, FLORENCE, ROBBIE, 

AND 

LITTLE ESTELLE. 


WOODSIDE, 1870. 



\ 




Stories 


1. KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 

2 . KATHIE’S AUNT RUTH. 

3. KATHIE’S SUMMER AT CEDARWOOD 

4. KATHIE’S SOLDIERS. 

6. IN THE RANKS. 


6. KATHIE’S HARVEST DAYS. 



CONTENTS 


CHAPTER I. 


What the Star said 


CHAPTER II. 

Finding a Giant .... 


CHAPTER III. 

An Enchanted Palace 


CHAPTER IV. 

Thinking of Others . . . , 

CHAPTER V. 

A Pleasant Surprise . . . ■ 

CHAPTER VI. 

Rob’s Giants 

CHAPTER VII. 


Freddy’s Troubles . 


CONTENTS. 


viii 

CHAPTER VIII. 


Cinderella 107 

CHAPTER IX. 

Charlie’s Party 127 

CHAPTER X. 

Kathie’s Prince 144 

CHAPTER XI. 


The Purse of Fortunatus .165 

CHAPTER XII. 


An Enchanted Country 182 

CHAPTER XIII. 

Gala-Days 203 

CHAPTER XIV. 

Home 222 


CHAPTER XV. 


A House-Warming 


243 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


CHAPTER I. 

WHAT THE STAR SAID. 

" 0 DEAR ! ” and Kathie Alston closed her bp»ok 
with a sigh ; “ if there were only real fairies ! If 
one could wish for a thing and have it ! ” 

Then she glanced around the room. It was alto- 
gether unlike an enchanted palace. A faded and 
weU-worn carpet, cane-seat chairs, the chintz cover 
on the lounge frayed at the edges, two or three old- 
fashioned pictures, and two plainly dressed women, 
who should have been fairy princesses instead. And 
just then it came to Kathie with great force how 
very hard their lives were, — her mother sewing 
wearily day after day, to lengthen out their scanty 
income, and poor pale Aunt Euth never able to make 
much exertion in the way of working. If she only 

had a magic lamp to rub, or a purse in which, open it 

1 * 


10 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


as often as she might, she would find a piece of gold, 
what splendid things she could bring about for her 
mother and Aunt Kuth, and Eob and Freddy ! But 
she was only a little girl, and could not do anything. 

‘"Kathie,” her mother said presently, ''you must 
put away your book and go to the store ; and now it 
is so dark you will not have time to run up to Mrs. 
Grayson’s.” 

Kathie started. Why, the clock was striking five, 
and the room was already in a haze of twilight. She 
had been reading just an hour and a half Twice her 
mother had spoken to her about going to Mrs. Gray- 
son’s, and she had intended to go after reading a page 
or so, and thus she had gone on and on instead. 

" Can’t I do it in the morning, mamma ? ” she 
asked, soberly, a little troubled in her conscience. 

"No, it would make you late for school, and I 
promised Mrs. Grayson that the children’s aprons 
should be done to-day. I’ll go this evening. Eun to 
the store now, and remember all the things I telF 
you. Look if you see the boys, and call them in.” 

Her mother’s tired and tender voice touched her, 
for Kathie had a warm, generous heart. 

"0 mamma! I wish I was a fairy for your sake. 


WHAT THE STAR SAID. 


11 


Then you would n’t have to work, and we ’d have 
a nice house and plenty of money ! ” 

Kathie clasped her arms around her mother’s neck 
and kissed her fondly in a repentant mood. 

There are many kinds of fairies,” Mrs. Alston 
said. “They don’t all live in enchanted palaces.” 
Then she gave Kathie the basket and some money, 
and repeated the list of articles she needed. 

The little girl trudged along in the cold, thinking 
of all the marvellous things that might he done if 
one had the power; and then she wondered what 
her mother meant by saying there were different 
kinds of fairies. Of course no one really believed 
in them, charming as the stories were. Money 
could do a great many things that seemed almost 
like magic ; but she had no money and never would 
have. Children could n’t earn any, and women 
rarely became rich. When Eob and Freddy grew 
to be men — But that was a long way off. 

There was a bright little star up in the sky, 
twinkling with a wise look. It watched her so 
oddly out of its one golden eye that she could n’t 
help saying, “ 0 you lovely fairy star ! ” and some- 
how it seemed as if the fairies were not all dead 


12 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


But she was at the store before she knew it, went 
in and made her purchases, and started for home, 
watcliing the same beautiful star until she came in 
sight of the cottage. Then she drew a long breath 
of dismay. Mamma had put a tin pail in the bottom 
of the basket for yeast, and told her to leave it at 
the baker’s in going, and stop for it coming back. 

“ O dear ! ” sighed Kathie, I ought to have a 
fairy named Memory ! ” and for an instant she felt 
tempted to cry. Should she go liome first, or carry 
the heavy basket back to the baker’s ? 

Back to the baker’s,” said the star, — though I 
think it was a fairy inside of the little girl, called 
Conscience. 

“It will teach me a lesson, for I am heedless ” ; 
and she turned around instantly. Then at the baker’s 
she had to take nearly all the things out of the bas- 
ket, and afterwards she hurried home to make up for 
lost time. 

“ How quick you have been !” her mother said, with 
a smile. Kathie, like other children, was sometimes 
given to loitering. “ Did you see the boys ? ” 

“ 0, I forgot, mamma ; but I neither saw nor heard 
them. I ’ll go look for them, though.” 


WHAT THE STAR SAID. 


13 


Looking for the boys was one of Kathie’s hard- 
ships. It was n’t pleasant to go out in the cold and 
hunt round for them, and have them grumble at her 
because they were compelled to come in. But the 
star up in the blue sky seemed to challenge her to 
a race, and in a few seconds she reached the hill 
where the boys were coasting. Bob knew it was n’t 
supper- time, and Freddy, with some big-boy assump- 
tion, declared she always had to come and spoil their 
fun. 

“ Just stop and try my new sled,” exclaimed 
Charlie Darrell. " See, it ’s the ‘ Star,’ though it ’s so 
dark you can hardly read. All red and gold, and 
such beautiful letters ! It was my Christmas present, 
and it ’s splendid ! Goes bke a flash ! Come, Kathie ! ” 

It tempted Kathie as she heard the sleds go 
whizzing past. But she glanced up to the other star 
glowing so steadily, and remembered that she had 
followed her own inclinations all the afternoon. 
She would obey her mother now ; still it was some- 
thing of a struggle to do just right. 

“ Ko,” she said, cheerfully, “ though I ’m much 
obliged to you, Charlie, and 1 ’d like to try it another 
time. Mamma is waiting for us. Come, Freddy 


14 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


Eob, please do. Mamma must go out immediately 
after supper, and we ought n’t to keep her waiting.” 

Something in Kathie’s voice touched Eob, but he 
turned rather ungraciously. 

“ What a nuisance girls are ! ” he said, crossly. 

“ No, they are n’t,” Charlie exclaimed, valiantly ; 
"" and Kathie ’s the nicest girl I know. I wish I had 
such a sister. Only you might have ridden down 
once, Kathie.” 

As if Eob was afraid she would yield now, he hur- 
ried her away. She took Freddy by the hand, clasp- 
ing the chubby little fingers in her own. 

I mean to tease mother to let me come out again 
to-night,” Eob said presently. “All the boys will 
be there.” 

“ But you know mamma does n’t like you to go 
out evenings with the boys,” Kathie said in a grave, 
sweet voice. 

“ It ’s hard if a fellow has to stay in forever ” ; and 
Eob gave a hummock of ice a tremendous kick. 

Kathie made no reply just then, but she was re- 
volving something in her mind. Presently she said, 
with her heart in her throat, “ Eob, I wish you ’d do 
something partly for me instead.” 


WHAT THE STAR SAID. 


15 


" What ? ” The tone was rather cold and discour- 
aging. 

Mamma will have to go to Mrs. Grayson’s this 
evening, and I wish you would go with her. It will 
make the walk seem shorter, and it ’s so lonesome to 
go about in the dark. It ’s my fault, for I read my 
fairy-book this afternoon when I should have gone.” 

Bother ! I wish you ’d attend to your own busi- 
ness ! ” 

The quick tears rushed to Kathie’s eyes. “ I ’m 
very sorry. Bob, but I went to the grocery and 
brought home a heavy basketful. You know you 
said you ’d always go.” 

“ Well, why did n’t you call me ? ” and at this kick 
the frozen snow flew in a shower. 

“Mamma was in a hurry.” After a pause and 
with a great effort she said, kindly, Eob, you may 
have my paint-box on the first rainy day.” Kathie’s 
teacher had given her a box of paints for Christmas. 
A day or two after, when it rained, and Eob had to 
stay in the house, he insisted upon taking forcible 
possession, he being rather masterly and aggressive. 

“They are Kathie’s,” his mother said, “and you 
have no right to them unless she gives it to you.” 


16 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


Kathie did n’t seem tliat way inclined. They wete 
so bright and fresh, and the box so clean, that she 
hated to have them used. 

Eob said nothing now, but washed his hands and 
ate his supper in a quiet manner. 

I ’ll wash the dishes, mamma,” and Kathie began 
cheerily enough, tucking up her sleeves above her 
dimpled elbows, “ so you can go right away.” 

Mrs.. Alston looked pleased and put on her shawl. 

“ I am going along, so that no one will run away 
with you,” Eob announced with an assumption of 
manliness. 

" Are you ? 0, thank you.” 

Eob felt repaid by his mother’s smile and the soft 
color that stole into her cheeks. How pretty she 
would be if she was n’t so thin and pale ! 

Then Freddy thought he ought to go, though the 
warm room and the warm tea had made him look 
rather sleepy ; besides, he was too small a boy to take 
such a tramp after supper. 

I ’ll put you to bed and tell you a story,” whis- 
pered Kathie as the others went away. 

Kathie did n’t like to wasli dishes, but she went at it 
cheerfully, and it was surprising how soon she seemed 


WHAT THE STAR SAID. 


17 


to get througli. Then she brushed up the room, drew 
Aunt Euth’s chair to the table, for she was an almost 
helpless invaEd, and found her sewing-materials. 
Ered was nodding in the corner by this time, and was 
rather cross when she roused him, but after she had 
him tucked snugly in bed he remembered the story. 
She wrapped a shawl around her, and, sitting on the 
edge of the bed, commenced in a clear, happy voice ; 
but while the princess was yet in her enchanted castle, 
and the prince taken in the toils of some old witch so 
that he could n’t come to her rescue, Fred gave a little 
crooked snore ; so Kathie pulled the pillow straight, 
and left him sleeping soundly. 

There sat pale, patient Aunt Euth embroidering. 
If there only were fairies, and one could touch her 
with a golden wand and make her well ! 

"‘Aunt Euth, isn’t it a pity fairy-stories are not 
true ? ” she asked. 

“ I think some of them are.” 

But no one has a wand that can transform other 
people, or cure them, or give them elegant houses to 
live in. And there never was a purse like that of 
Fortunatus.” 

Aunt Euth smiled. I think T have seen Cinder- 


18 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


ellas,” she said, and giant-killers, and people in en- 
chanted castles who were set free at last, and girls 
who dropped something better than pearls and dia- 
monds when they spoke.” 

“ But the people in enchanted castles, tell me 
about them ” ;• and Kathies eyes were wide open with 
curiosity. Where did you see them ? ” 

“ Well, I think some brownie or ill-natured fairy 
put them in a dismal castle, and sometimes they were 
angry and would n’t see the right way to get out. The 
fairy blinded them, I suppose, for they kicked and 
thumped against the walls, and sought every way but 
the right one, and then their eyes were opened sud- 
denly, and they saw how many wrong ways they had 
been trying.” 

“ 0, that ’s children,” said Kathie, with a laugh. 

I mean real fairies.” 

“ Well, I saw a real fairy awhile ago. A little 
girl who did several things that she sometimes con- 
siders great hardships. She was cheerful and patient, 
and made everything go along smoothly by some 
words that were better than diamonds.” 

“ 0 Aunt Euth ! ” Some tender tears came in 
Kathie’s eyes. Then she was quiet for many moments, 



Kathie and Fred. Page 17 




r \A 



WHAT THE STAR SAID. 


19 


thinking. She could not transport them all to an 
elegant palace, nor have servants come at her call, 
but she remembered the real fairies there were in the 
world, — Love, to begin with, a spirit who was tender, 
patient, self-sacrificing, never cross when things went 
wrong, never indolent when others could be saved any 
toil or burden. 

O,” she thought, with a sigh, “ I never can be such 
a fairy ” ; and she felt very humble. “ But I might try 
to do a little.” Then she remembered she had heard 
Bob ask mamma that morning to mend his gray mit- 
tens. So she went to the closet-shelf, where she had 
seen him lay them. 

What are you looking for ? ” Aunt Kuth said, after 
a little. 

Mamma’s balls of yarn. I want to mend Eob’s 
mittens, if you will show me.” 

“ The balls are on a lower shelf, in a basket.” 

“ 0 yes ; I wish I did n’t forget everything. Aunt 
Kuth.” 

You must pay more attention, and think when 
you start to do anything.” 

She sat down by Aunt Euth and began to darn. It 
was rather tedious to do it so neatly, and Kathie 


20 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


was not very fond of being quiet, so by and by slie 
said, “ Aunt Eutli, I ’d like to talk about the giant- 
killers — I think I never saw any — and the giants.” 

“ There are a great many giants in the world. In- 
dolence, Ill-Temper, Envy, Selfishness, and more than 
I can mention. Some people only thrust them out 
of sight for a while, but I have met with several 
good honest Jacks who kept at them until they 
were killed. Giants like these spring up everywhere. 
We all have to fight them.” 

“ Do you. Aunt Kuth ? ” and Katliie looked up 
wonderingly. 

Do you always feel patient and sweet-tempered, 
Kathie ? Are you always willing to give up your 
own pleasure for the sake of others ? ” 

“0 no ” ; and Kathie could not forbear smiling at 
the thought. “ But you are so good.” 

'' I have some giants to fight. And I call in the 
aid of such fairies as will help me.” 

“ 0 Aunt Eutli, it is hard to stay liere day after 
day, and not be able to walk out, nor rich enough to 
ride, and then have to work all the time. I ought to 
be your good little fairy, and mamma’s. Perhaps I 
can do something to make it brighter and easier.” 


WHAT THE STAR SAID. 


21 


'' You can do a great deal.” 

Aunt liutli, these mittens are finished. It seemed 
so much wlien I first began.” 

“ And it is very neatly done. You ’re almost a 
fairy ” ; and Aunt Kuth kissed her. A warm glow 
came to lier face as she recalled her motlier’s words. 
The fairies did n’t all live in enchanted palaces. 

“ 0, there they come ! ” exclaimed Kathie, and, 
springing up, she put away the mittens. 

Eob returned in a state of felicity. 

“ I had a splendid talk with Dick Grayson,” he 
said, and he is n’t half so proud as the boys make 
out, although he does go to the Academy. He asked 
me to come over some evening, and 0, Kathie, he 
has such lots of books, and a little study all by him- 
self, where he reads and tries experiments, and his 
father is so kind and pleasant. Mrs. Grayson praised 
me for not letting mamma go out alone, and I wanted 
to tell her it was your thought, not mine. I ’m so 
glad I went. And, Kathie, I shall not want the 
paints, at least not for pay.” 

‘‘You can have them to paint your boat,” she re- 
joined, yielding of her own free will a point that .she 
had refused him several times. 


22 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


“ You ’re a darling ! ” exclaimed Kob, boy fashion. 

She took a long look at the star before she went 
to bed. Did it never get tired shining steadily on 
and on ? Did n’t it want to go to some other place 
or do something else, — become a sun or moon, for 
instance, as any little boy or girl would in its place ? 
God wanted it just to shine, and it did its duty. And 
he wanted her to be a helpful little girl, or else he 
would have given her a beautiful house, plenty of 
money, and nothing to do. There were princesses in 
the fairy stories who had everything they called for, 
but the real fairies ran to and fro, did as they were 
bidden, never complaining of hard work. A little 
while ago she was wishing to be a fairy, one of the 
working kind it must be. 

So she said her prayers reverently and crept into 
her little bed, thinking of the many things she wanted 
to do, and most of all to make life a little easier for 
dear, sweet mamma. There was no way of getting 
rich, so they must always toil. Wishing for purses 
of gold and mines of jewels wouldn’t bring about any 
result, but being cheerful and industrious might. 

“ I ’ll try and be a fairy,” she thought as she fell 
asleep. 


FINDING A GIANT. 


23 


CHAPTEE II. 

FINDING A GIANT. 

“ Mother, did you mend my mittens ? These are 
all in holes now ” ; and Eob held up his hands. 

“ I was so busy yesterday, and then going out in 
the evening — ” 

‘‘ Here they are,” said Kathie ; I did it last night.” 

“ Tall darning ” ; and Eob laughed incredulously. 

‘‘ Aunt Euth showed me.” 

Why, mother, look ; she did it splendidly, — as 
nice and thick as yours. I hate thin darning; it 
comes out right away.” Eob gave her a boisterous 
hug and kiss. 

Mamma, have you seen my basket ? I can’t find 
it anywhere ” ; and Kathie looked disconsolate. 

Did n’t you put it on the shelf ? ” 

It is n’t there,” was Kathie’s reply. 

Think what you did do with it then. You came 
directly home from school, did n’t you ? ” 

“ Yes, mamma.” 


24 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


"‘Well, I don’t see it anywhere; I hope you have 
not lost it.” 

Kathie looked sober. “ I believe I did leave it at 
school, mamma,” she said, at length. “ I ran out to 
speak to Mary Cox, and then I forgot all about it.” 

Kathie’s eyes met Aunt Euth’s. “There ’s one 
of the giants,” she thought. “ There ’s a battle to 
fight, just as I did last night, when I went back to 
the baker’s. I ’ll try to remember. That must be 
my first work.” 

Mrs. Alston put Kathie’s lunch in a napkin. She 
hurried to school, and was going straight to her desk, 
when she saw her basket hung on a high nail. That 
was a sign that it had been left out of place the pre- 
ceding evening. Miss Moore would mark her now 
for having been careless. 

Kathie took her seat very soberly. There were 
giants all around, it seemed ; for she felt rather cross 
with Miss Moore when it was plainly her own fault. 
How could she forget that she had put it somewhere 
around, and then not come after it ! And she had 
resolved not to have one bad mark this quarter ! 

Sophie Dorrance rushed in and deposited her books 
on her desk. 


FINDING A GIANT. 


25 


0 Kathie, they ’re beginning a snow-house ! 
Come out ; it ’ll be such fun.” 

“ No,” said Kathie, quietly ; I cannot just now” 

“ Why, are you sick ? ” 

“ No.” 

“ Why, then, are you angry with any one ? ” 

1 was very careless ; so I ’m going to sit here for 
a punishment, to make me remember another time.” 

“ Who told you to ? ” 

"No one ; I am doing it myself. I forget so easily 
that I must do something to cure myself.” 

" What an odd girl you are ! What did you 
forget ?” 

" My basket, yesterday ; and I left it out of place.” 

" O, I would n’t mind,” said Sophie. " Come.” , 

But Kathie would not yield. She was sorely 
tempted to when she heard the ringing laughs 
outside. Never were ten niinut , so long. Then 
Miss Moore entered and spoke very pleasantly. 

" How industrious you are, Kathie 1 ” she said, with 
an approving smile ; for Kathie had her hook open. 

Kathie colored a little. Her honesty and love of 
truth would not admit of her receiving praise when 

she had done nothing to merit it. 

2 


26 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


“ It was n’t that, Miss Moore. I \vas careless about 
my basket yesterday, and I thought if I deprived 
myself of some pleasure I should be more likely to 
remember it.” 

Miss Moore sat down beside her. “What made 
you think of this, Kathie ? ” 

Kathie colored a little. “ I was talking to Aunt 
Euth last night about fairies and giants, and she said 
our faults were like giants, and that we must fight 
them.” 

“ And so you have begun ? ” 

“ I wish I could remember better ; I forget so 
easily.” 

“ There is no way but by taking pains. I think 
you will succeed.” Then she gave her another sweet 
smile, and rang the bell. 

At recess she enjoyed the snow-house wonderfully. 
The boys were making square blocks of snow, pressed 
together as hard and solid as they could get it. They 
had quite a number piled up. The girls helped, 
laughing as merrily as the boys. Eecess seemed 
much shorter than Kathie’s moments of penance 
in the morning. 

The snow-house progressed rapidly. All through 


FINDING A GIANT. 


27 


the noon intermission the children worked, and then 
remained a little while after school. But presently 
Kathie said softly to Bob, “ I think we ought to go 
home now. Mamma does n’t like to have us stay 
very long after school.” 

“ Fudge ! ” exclaimed Bob. “We don’t build snow- 
houses every day. There ’s nothing to do at home. I 
shall go right off and play again.” 

Kathie wished she was a boy. She could think of 
ever so much work to do, but boys certainly did have 
more time to play. They could n’t sew, nor put the 
house in order, nor set the table. Suppose she stayed 
just this afternoon ! 

“ There ’s another giant,” she said to herself. “ And 
the prince who will come out to kill it is Obedience. 
Yes, 1 ’ll go right away.” 

“ Good by, girls,” she called out with a cheerful 
voice ; “ I must run home.” 

“ 0 Kathie, that ’s real mean not to stay and work 
on the snow-house,” exclaimed one of the girls. 

“ Mamma needs me at home,” she began, bravely, 
though she longed to stay. 

“ Nonsense ! she can stay just as well as not/' 
Bob exclaimed, a little vexed. 


28 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


“ No, I can’t,” said Kathie, “ but I ’m sorry, and I ’d 
like to work on the snow-house.” 

''We won’t let her go in it to-morrow then,” said 
the first speaker, — for children can sometimes be very 
ungenerous with one another. 

Kathie winked away a tear, but was resolute. Eob 
told her to go off and not make a fool of herself. So 
Kathie ran as fast as she could to keep from feeling 
badly, and perhaps repenting. 

“Mamma, is n’t there something I could do for 
you ? ” she said as soon as she had entered the room 
and liung up her bonnet and shawl. 

“ I ’m glad you came home so soon. Where are 
the boys ? ” 

Kathie explained that they were staying to work 
on the snow- house. Then her mother gave her some 
hemming to do, and Kathie found her thimble and 
sewed for nearly an hour. 

“ I wish the boys would come home,” Mrs. Alston 
said at length. “Freddy will be half frozen. Eob 
ought to know better. And there ’s kindling-wood to 
split to-night. I ’m glad you have some consideration, 
Kathie.” 

The little girl glanced up and met her mother’s 


FINDING A GIANT. 


29 


fond smile. That was reward enough. She was 
quite satisfied now that she had missed the play, 
since she had been useful. 

Eob did n’t seem to feel very good-natured when 
lie came home, and Freddy was so tired that he fell 
asleep in his chair before he could pull off his wet 
boots. His mother roused him, and he began to cry. 

“ I ’m so^ hungry,” he sobbed out at length, his eyes 
still half closed. 

“ Freddy,” his mother said^ “ if you stay so late at 
school another night I shall have to punish you. I 
have told you a good many times that you must come, 
home earlier, and I shall not speak of it again. Why 
did n’t you come with Kathie ? ” 

Mamma, I don’t think I asked liim,” Kathie 
rejoined, quickly. “ It is one of the things I forgot 
again, but I am trying liard to remember.” 

Her mother kissed her and smiled by way of en- 
couragement, then told her to give Freddy a bowl 
of bread and milk and put him to bed. 

He considered this very hard at first, but Kathie 
fed him in such a merry fashion that he soon became 
quite good-natured. 

“ Tell me another story,” he begged, after she had 
tucked him snugly in bed. 


30 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


“ I can’t to-night, Freddy. I must go and set the 
supper-table.” 

“ Just a teeny little one, — so long,” measuring a 
little space with his fat hands. 

“ No, dear, I have not time ; so good night.” 

“ You ’re a cross old thing ! You never will do 
anything nice for me ! ” he returned, crossly. 

Kathie thought this very unkind when she had 
been trying so hard to be patient, then she remem- 
bered that Freddy was only a little boy, and very 
sleepy at that. Sometimes she had fancied mamma 
and Aunt Euth cross when they refused her anything, 
and like a flash she understood how that occasionally 
compliance might be quite impossible and yet not 
unkind. It was strange how, when one began to 
think, one could see so much. So she made no reply, 
but, smiling softly to herseK, shut the door. After the 
dishes were washed she glanced up with a bright face. 

Is there anything else that I can do, mamma ? ” 

“ The beans are to be picked over and put in 
water to soak for to-morrow.” 

“ Baked beans ! Won’t that be gay and festive ! ” 
exclaimed Eob, who was trying to cut a ball-cover 
from the red lining of an old boot-leg. 


FINDING A GIANT. 


31 


Kathie always thought this very “poky” work, 
hut somehow to-night it went very well. Then she 
looked over the dried cherries, and finally mixed 
the cakes for breakfast. 

Eob, worn out with his arduous labors, dropped 
asleep upon the lounge, and Kathie quietly picked 
up his numerous “ traps,” — for he had a boy’s fashion 
of leaving everything around. 

“ You have been a kind, helpful little girl,” Mrs. 
Alston said with her good-night kiss. “ I am very 
thankful, for I was not feeling very well.” 

“ Mamma,” said Kathie, “ must you always work 
so hard, — you and Aunt Euth ? ” 

“We are poor, Kathie, and so we cannot afford to 
indulge in idleness, however pleasant it might be some- 
times. But when my children are grown up and can 
work for me, I hope life will be a Ettle easier.” 

Kathie sighed. If fairy godmothers only would 
come at one’s wish ! Well, she must be a fairy her- 
self 

When Kathie went to school the next morning she 
was surprised to find a palace sparkling in the sun. 
It had a grand turret at one cornei^ which the boys 
had deluged with water, and from every projection 


32 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


hung icicles that glittered like diamonds. How very 
beautiful it was I Kathie stood in astonishment for 
a moment, then she entered the arched doorway. 
There was a table in the centre, and square masses 
of snow around the sides to represent chairs. 

“ Is n’t it a beauty ? ” asked Eob, exultantly. “We 
worked like Trojans last night, I tell you. That ’s 
the handsomest snow-house that was ever made in 
this town, I know.” 

Eob did not remember the many hundred school- 
boys there had been before his time, and the snow- 
houses they had all made. 

There were a few finishing touches to be added at 
recess, and then the children decided to eat their din- 
ner in it. This arrangement was hailed with a shout 
of delight, and they settled themselves at once. 

“ Kathie Alston can’t,” said Lottie Thorne. “ She 
ran off home, and would n’t help work.” 

Several of the children turned towards Kathie, 
whose face reddened at this sudden onslaught. Eor 
a moment she stood quite still ; then she walked 
away a few steps without a word. 

“ That ’s mean of you, Lottie,” exclaimed one of 
the larger boys. “ Kathie did work awhile.” 


FINDING A GIANT. 


33 


“ I knew mother needed me,” Kathie replied at 
length in a subdued voice. “ It was right to go home.” 

More than one felt the force of Kathie’s remark. 

“Well, she can have all the fun, then, without 
doing the work,” said Lottie, ratlier sulkily. “ I 
don’t think I ’ll help build another snow-house and 
have my hands half frozen.” 

At this instant the bell rang, which brought the 
dissension to an end. 

“ Kathie,” Itob began, giving his elbow a thrust in 
her side to enforce his words, “ I think you were a 
little fool ! I would n’t have let Lottie Thorne talk 
to me in that way ; and you stood and never said a 
word. What made you ? ” 

“ I was killing a giant,” said Kathie, soberly. 

“ A giant ! ” Eob opened his mouth as well as his 
eyes. 

“ Yes. I felt real angry at first, because I did n’t 
go from laziness. I ’d like to have stayed, but I was 
glad to think of mamma in time. Aunt Euth told 
me that our bad tempers were like giants, and tliat 
Jack in the fairy-book was n’t the only one who set 
out to kill them. I want to remember, and I don’t 
want to get angry. That ’s two.” 

2* c 


34 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


" Humph ! ” said Eob, rather disdainfully. 

The children took their seats and went to work. 
The last liour was devoted to arithmetic. Kathie 
ciphered away industriously. One after another the 
children read their answers. 

Miss Moore called the names of those who were 
wrong. They would have to stay in and do their 
sums over. Lottie Thorne’s was amongst them. 

Kathie passed her in going out and felt real sorry 
as she caught a glimpse of the disappointed face. 
She paused half a moment beside her. 

Lottie was rather selfish, and was glad to have any 
one assist her. Kathie did occasionally, but she 
felt quite awkward about it now. She summoned 
courage presently, and said, “Can’t you find your 
mistake, Lottie ? These long - division sums are 
real bothering.” 

“ It ’s too bad ! I ’ve been all over it once. Dear ! 
when any one is in a hurry — ” And Lottie’s blue 
eyes seemed to indicate a shower. 

“ Let ’s look again,” said the cheery voice. “ Why, 
here, in the very beginning, you didn’t carry, you 
see.” 

“ And it ’s aU to do over, — this great long sum ! ” 


FINDING A GIANT. 


35 


Lottie’s tone was despairing, and she surveyed it in 
utter dismay. 

That won’t get it done,” said Kathie, with a 
bright smile; so at it they went in good earnest. 

“ That ’s right,” exclaimed Miss Moore, glancing it 
over. 

Kathie, you are the best girl I know ” ; and Lottie 
gave her a fond squeeze. “ If any one had been as 
cross to me as I was to you this morning, I would 
n’t have spoken to her. I ’m real sorry.” 

“ Never mind,” said Kathie, hunting up her hood. 
“ Only it was hard to go home yesterday, but I 
knew mamma needed me.” 

So the two girls went out to the snow-house. - " It 
was better to be pleasant,” Kathie thought, and she 
determined to make war upon her giants whenever 
they dared to show themselves. 

The children had a delightful play, only it was so 
short. 

If we could all come to-morrow,” exclaimed 
Charlie Darrell. '' Would n’t it be fun to stay the 
whole afternoon and have a regular good time ? 
Who ’ll be here ? ” 

“II I ! ” shouted a chorus of voices, Eob’s loudest 
amongst them. 


36 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


Kathie was silent; should she promise or not? 
Saturday was always such a busy time. But how 
delightful it would be to come ! 

“ You ’ll be sure to ? ” Charlie Darrell said to 
Kathie, lingering a little behind. 

“I can’t tell for certain.” 

“ What’s the matter ? You would n’t ride on my 
sled the other night, and you don ’t want to play very 
much. What makes you so queer ? ” 

Queer ! When she was trying so hard to be 
good and thoughtful, mid from Charlie Darrell too ! 
Kathie’s heart was up in her throat. 

“ Am I very queer ? ” There was the least little 
tremble in her voice. 

You ’ve always been so good-natured and full of 
fun, and now you seem so sober.” 

I want to be just as good-natured and pleasanter 
than ever before.” 

Charlie looked at her as if he was afraid she had 
lost her wits, then he said, “ Why, Kathie ? ” 

“ Because,” very slowly and with an effort, “ I am 
trying to be better.” 

“ You always were good enough.” 

“ Not quite ” ; and Kathie gave a faint smile. 


FINDING A GIANT. 


37 


“ But do you think it wrong to play ? ” and Charlie 
looked alarmed. 

No, indeed, only mamma wants me a good deal 
of the time, and I am trying to think of her. It ’s 
about all I can do to make her happy.’' 

Charlie was grave enough. “ You ’re better than 
the rest of us, Kathie,” he said, with much gentle- 
ness. “ Only I hope you can come to-morrow.” 

Kathie hoped so too as much as anybody. “ I ’ll 
try,” she answered, cheerily. 

Then she hunted up Freddy, who did n’t want to 
go home a bit, and felt sure he was a big boy and 
could do as he liked. 

Eemember what mamma said,” Kathie whispered, 
and he walked reluctantly by her side, casting long- 
ing looks backward. 

“ Just wait till I ’m as large as Eob,” he said, half 
crying. You won’t make me mind then.” 

" 0 Freddy, it is n’t for me at all,” she said in a 
low, half-disheartened tone. “ And I ’d be happier if 
you were a grown-up man.” 

The child’s fancy caught at the idea, and he began 
to make plans for the coming manhood. 


38 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


CHAPTEE III. 

AN ENCHANTED PALACE. 

“ Mamma,” Kathie said on Saturday morning, do 
you think I could go and play with the children this 
afternoon ? They mean to have a great time in the 
snow-house.” 

“ I shall have to indulge you, I suppose. You 
have been very industrious for several days.” 

“ But will you need me very much ? ” 

“You can get all your work done this morning, 
and there is no particular sewing.” 

That made Kathie exceedingly light-hearted. She 
was as brisk as a bee, making beds, sweeping, and 
dusting, while her mother attended to the baking and 
the extra cooking for Sunday. Eob was very good- 
natured, and did the errands. The time passed so 
rapidly that it was noon before Kathie thought. 

“ What a short morning ! ” 

Aunt Euth answered her bright smile. “You 
don’t need to look very far for fairies now,” she said. 


AN ENCHANTED PALACE. 


39 


It ’s so odd, Aunt Euth ; nothing has bothered 
me this whole morning. Everything fitted into some 
little space of time ; and it seems to me that on some 
days, do my best, all goes wrong.” 

Is it your best ? ” 

“ I don’t believe it is. Aunt Euth ” ; and Kathie 
gave a little laugh. “ Do you know I ’ve been think- 
ing a good fairy must attend you, and that her name 
is Patience ? It is hard to sit here day after day and 
sew and knit. Would n’t you like to go out ? ” 

“ Certainly I should ; but, as you said the other 
night, I can’t walk, and there ’s no one to take me in 
a carriage.” 

“When Eob grows up, I hope he will be a rich 
man.” 

“And have a generous heart.” 

“ But you played when you were a little girl ? ” 

“ Yes, my dear. We had a happy home and many 
comforts.” 

Aunt Euth sighed softly. It had been a hard 
struggle not to repine. She had striven very ear- 
nestly for a meek and quiet spirit. 

“ I wish you could go out, and the snow is so 
splendid now. Aunt Euth, I wonder why rich 


40 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


people never tliink of the pleasure they might give 
poorer ones. If I was rich and had a sleigh — ” 

Kathie went off* into a somewhat lengthy vision 
When she roused herself from it, she said, slowly, 
Playing fairy is n’t quite so good as the real 
thing.” 

“ But rich people have their own business and 
their own pleasures, and many demands upon them ; 
they cannot think of everybody,” Aunt Euth re- 
joined. “ And when we do the best we can, that 
is all that is required of us. So if you are a fairy in 
an humble sphere you must do what you can, and be 
content!” 

Kathie thought of the star, shining on and on ; 
that was it. 

After dinner Kathie helped wash the dishes, and 
then dressed herself. She was a pretty little girl, 
with golden ringlets and cheeks that brightened with 
a word. Her eyes were soft and dark, neither blue 
nor hazel, but like shady lakes ; and they always had 
such a tender expression that any one would guess at 
once that she had an affectionate heart. She looked 
very sweet in her gray cloak and dainty scarlet hood 
edged with white, that Aunt Euth had made her for 


AN ENCHANTED PALACE. 


41 


Christmas. Eob, all impatience, had started on 
before. 

Freddy must be a good boy and mind sister,” 
was Mrs. Alston’s parting command. 

They ran off to the school-house eagerly. Quite a 
number were already assembled and discussing wliat 
the play should be. The boys wanted war. The 
party must be divided into two factions, and the snow- 
house should be a camp or castle, — it did n’t matter 
which, — and one should try to take it from the other. 

“ But then you ’ll have to batter it down,” said 
Harry Cox, “ and that would be a shame. Why, we 
might play in it ever so long.” 

“ 0, that ’s all the fun ! Can’t we build another ? ” 

Bob, like the hero of old, was for war. The voices 
rose high and eager. 

“ But then the girls can’t play,” exclaimed Charlie 
Darrell ; '' snowballing is too hard for them. Wlien 
the house begins to look old and rusty we can do 
that.” 

“Yes,” said Kathie, “we would all like to play.” 

Then a diversion was created by the appearance 
of Sophie Dorrance, followed by their fat, jolly-look^ 
ing black woman, who was carrying a huge basket 


42 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


“ 0 Sophie ! ” was the general choms. 

“ I begged mother to give us something to eat, and 
Chloe made such lots of cookies ! We ’re going to 
have real fun. What are you doing?” 

"‘Nothing. We can’t make up our minds what 
to play. The boys wanted war and prisoners.” 

“ Just like boys,” said Sophie, with a twinkle in 
her eye. 

“ Well, what then ? ” asked Rob. 

“ Something nice, where there ’s a princess and lots 
of servants. Kathie Alston, let ’s have a fairy play. 
You ’re so capital at that. And we have a snow- 
palace.” 

“ Fudge ! ” returned Rob, disdainfully. “ Who cares 
for such things ? ” 

“We ought to play something to please the girls,” 
said Charlie Darrell, in his manly fashion. “We can 
have a good row and racket by ourselves some time, 
so let ’s take the fairy play. A little girl must be 
stolen from her father’s palace and changed into — 
what, Kathie ? — and we ’ll all go search for her. 
There must be a good fairy and a wicked fairy.” 

“ First-rate, Charlie ” ; and Sophie laughed. “ Why, 
you ’re almost as good as Kathie. There must be 


AN ENCHANTED PALACE. 


43 


soldiers — and — 0 yes, boys, you can have youi 
battle — and by and by the princess gets safely home. 
There must be a prince too, and I ’ll choose him, — 
Charlie Darrell ! ” 

Hurrah ! ” shouted half a dozen voices. 

“ And the boys must choose the princess.” 

For a few moments there was a good deal of merry 
confusion, and then the voices assumed a definite 
sound, — “ Kathie Alston ! ” 

“ 0 no,” said Kathie, in her sweet, timid fashion. 
“ If I am anything, I think I had better be the fairy 
godmother. And little Kose Gordon will make such 
a sweet princess.” 

Sure enough. Eose had long golden curls as well 
as Kathie, but she was wrapped in a snowy hood and 
cloak so nearly white that she looked almost like a 
veritable fairy child. 

Eob declared noisily for Eose. By degrees the 
boys fell into the line, but Charlie Darrell was last. 

“ I wish it had been you,” he whispered softly to 
Kathie. 

“ But you must be a good prince,” was her low 
reply. 

“ And now what about it ? ” began Sophie 


44 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


“ Must n’t there be a christening first ? And while 
everybody is feasting this wicked fairy must come 
and steal the baby, Kathie, fix it all up nice for us.” 

So Kathie began to plan. The table was to be 
prepared for a feast, and all the fairies were to bring 
their gifts. The boys and girls went to work eagerly. 
They brought in some branches of evergreens and 
ornamented the wall of the palace as well as the 
table, and then they found some long icicles out 
of which they made pyramids for the table. There 
were to be soldiers and servants and a king, — 
Tom Utley, being the largest, was chosen for this po- 
sition. Eose was to be called the Princess Golden, be- 
cause her hair was so soft and shining. Charlie was 
to be called Prince Bertram, and the godmotlier was 
to be Pearl, and the wicked fairy, Malice. But who 
would be the wicked fairy ? At this there was a 
general drawback. 

“Well,” said Sophie, “I think I wiE. Somebody 
must, you know, or the play will be spoiled. And 
I ’ll try to look as ugly as possible.” 

All the children laughed, for Sophie was always 
so good-natured and merry, and had such a round, 
smiling face. 


AN ENCHANTED PALACE. 


45 


The play began. One after another the guests 
came to the frost-palace, bowing low to the king 
and queen, and then went over to the cradle of ever- 
greens where the Princess Golden was lying, and the 
little mischief of a Eose had hard work to keep her 
face sober. They deposited their gifts at her feet, and 
wished her all manner of good fortune. Then came 
the fairy Pearl, who touched her with her wand and 
said that slie would be the wisest, loveliest, and best 
princess that the world had ever known, but that 
she must never be left alone until she was seven 
years old, or some very great misfortune would hap- 
pen to her. Then she kissed the little one and they 
all went to the feast. 

The table looked very pretty indeed with its glit- 
tering ice, dark evergreens, and sparkling dishes of 
snow filled with cake. They had a gay time, you 
ma}^ be sure, and in the midst of the laughing and 
talking a dark figure crept in, as she could n’t fly 
through the air like a veritable fairy. Tlie children 
pretended not to see lier, and the nurse whose business 
it was to watch the princess had fallen asleep. So, just 
as Prince Bertram was asking her hand in marriage. 
Malice lifted her out of tlie cradle and took her away. 


46 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


When the feast was through, Prince Bertram drew 
off a ring for the princess to wear when she was large 
enough. The king led the way to the princess’s 
cradle, and behold, it was empty ! The poor nurse 
had tumbled on the floor. They picked her up and 
shook her soundly, but she was so bewildered that 
she could tell them nothing. They marched her off 
to prison, and then they called upon Fairy Pearl to 
know where the princess was. 

She looked through a magic glass, waved her wand, 
which was a long icicle, three times over the cradle, 
but all in vain. 

“ The wicked fairy Malice has stolen her away,” 
she said, presently. “ With her arts she has doubt- 
less changed her into some other form. She must 
be searched for seven years, and when she is found I 
will restore her to her true shape.” 

With that Prince Bertram declared he would be 
one to go and look for her. He took his sword in 
his hand and marched out as brave as a real knight. 
The courtiers followed, bowing to the king and queen, 
who were very sorrowful indeed. Every year they 
were to come back and report progress. 

Tlieir years were not very long, you may be sure. 


AN ENCHANTED PALACE. 


47 


First, they searched the kingdom of Highwood, which 
was the great pile of wood for school use. The king 
of this domain came out to meet them very peace- 
ably, and offered them every courtesy, but no princess 
did they find. That took them a whole year, and 
then they returned to the king, who was very much 
disappointed. 

Next they searched the Lake kingdom, their large 
sliding-pond, around one side of which grew some 
clumps of alders and willows. The fairy knocked on 
the ice with her wand, but in vain. Not a sign of 
any princess did they see. Then they went to the 
Forest kingdom, which was supposed to he inhabited 
by malicious elves. Sure enough, just as they reached 
it a shower of halls greeted them. Prince Bertram, 
being very courageous, led his men to the fight, and 
they had a great time. Such whoops and shouts and 
yells as issued from the trees ! you would have 
thought it a pack of Indians instead of fairies or 
Christian people. In the midst of the melee they 
saw the fairy Malice flying with the Princess Golden, 
but she went so swiftly that they could not over- 
take her. But then they had some news for the poor 
king, and he concluded that he would join in the 
search, instead of staying at home. 


48 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


Well, they went everywhere, fought battles with 
elves and brownies and giants, and the seven years 
were almost ended. They were now in the kingdom 
of Snow, and this was where some of the boys had 
thrown a great heap against the fence as they were 
cleaning out the paths. Fairy Pearl tried some spells 
with her magic wand, and found that the Princess 
Golden was surely here. Just back of the fence 
stood the stump of a great sycamore, and the attend- 
ant of the fairy Malice had built her a little hut. 
Of course she pretended to think no one could ever 
find her here, but looking out one morning she saw 
that her place was besieged. So she called up her 
soldiers and bade them prepare for battle, while she 
shut the princess in the hollow tree so that she 
would soon become a part of it, and then she could 
never return to her father, since, if they did not find 
her iiL the seven years, all search would be vain. 

Prince Bertram was a good soldier, though. They 
gained the day as before, and took the fairy Malice 
and all her servants prisoners. They threatened to 
chain the evil fairy in a dungeon unless she would 
confess what she had done with the Princess Golden, 
but she was obstinate, and would not open her 


AN ENCHANTED PALACE. 


49 


mouth, so they marched her off. As she had dropped 
her wand in the fight, she could not free herself 
from their power, but she looked hack to the tree and 
shook her head mysteriously. 

“ We ’ll find her,” said Fairy Pearl, exultantly ; and 
with that she went up to the tree and touched it 
with her long icicle. It did look just as if the Prin- 
cess Golden came out of the tree, and there was a 
great shout of triumph. Prince Bertram took her 
in his arms and carried her home, and they all re- 
counted their adventures. Another feast followed 
this, at which the cookies were all demolished, and 
they found that it was beginning to grow dusky in 
the snow-palace. 

Let ’s go out and have one good ride down hUl,” 
said some one, and they all assented immediately. 
Charlie Darrell took his princess down once, and 
then he insisted that Kathie should try. 

“ It ’s splendid ! ” she said, her sweet face all in a 
glow. 

After two or three turns she declared^ that it was 
time to go home. 

" You always get in a hurry,” Bob exclaimed. 
“ You n^ver can let a fellow have his fun in peace ! ” 


50 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


This was rather unkind, considering that it was so 
late ; but when Eob was having a good time he never 
wanted it to end. 

The moon was just coming up, and every little point 
of snow sparkled as if set with a diamond. The long, 
sloping hill looked like a glittering bay. It was hard 
to leave it. 

“We had better go,” Kathie said again, and this 
time several others joined her. 

“ I mean to ride you home on my sled,” Charlie 
Darrell exclaimed. “ You ’re going to be my princess 
now.” 

A warm glow stole up in Kathie’s cheeks, quite 
different from the one made by the cold and the 
rapid exercise. 

“ I want to ride too,” exclaimed Freddy, beginning 
to whine a little, for he was getting tired and sleepy. 

“ You can’t, Freddy,” said Charlie, rather positively. 

At this the child cried outright. 

“ Can’t I hold him on my lap ? ” suggested Kathie, 
in her most winsome voice. 

“ O no ; it would tire you half to death and not 
e any pleasure at all. I ’ll tell you what we will do, 
Freddy,*- and he turned to the little one with an air 


AN ENCHANTED PALACE. 


51 


of animation ; “ we ’ll be the horses to take Fairy Pearl 
home, and we will make believe that this is an ele- 
gant chariot. Your name will be Firefly because you 
are such a fast horse. Come, Firefly, and let me put 
your bridle on.” 

Freddy laughed till he made dimples in his fat, 
rosy cheeks, though the tears were still shining in 
his eyes. 

Come, Firefly, let ’s start.” 

Kathie said good by to the girls and seated herself 
on Charlie’s sled. Freddy was quite elated with the 
idea of being of so much importance, and ran with all 
his might. Charlie would rather have been alone, as 
he had counted on making his sled fly like a bird, but 
he was very patient and sweet for Kathie’s sake. It 
was a nice ride, and when they stopped at the little 
cottage Kathie expressed her thanks. 

It ’s a great pleasure to me,” said Charlie ; and his 
eyes were in a glow of satisfaction ; “ only it is n’t 
half long enough. If you ’ll try it again some day ! ” 

Maybe I will. 0,” she said, with a sudden 
burst of feeling, “ is n’t it just lovely to be well and 
strong, and to run about and take comfort in every- 
thing ! ” 


62 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


Do you know any one who is not ? ” asked Charlie, 
in a little amaze. 

“Yes, — 'Aunt Euth. She hasn’t been out since 
cold weather commenced. When it is so slippery 
she has to stay in the house, because she ’s lame and 
weakly. I wish I could make her well and strong.” 

“ What a good little thing you are ! ” and Charlie 
looked at the sweet, earnest face. 

“ I must go in,” said Kathie. “ Good night.” 

“Good night, little Firefly”; and Charlie gave 
Freddy a hug. 

The two children stamped the snow off their feet 
and ran up stairs. The supper-table was already 
spread. 

“Why, mamma, is it so late ?” exclaimed Kathie. 
“ We had such a grand time ; did n’t we, Fred ? ” 

“ And a fairy who stole a little baby, only it was 
Kose Gordon ; and we had cakes to eat, and a great 
throne, and Charlie Darrell was prince, and I was a 
horse Firefly. Did n’t we drag you nice, Kathie ? ” 

Aunt Euth laughed at the queer jumble. 

“ It ’s all true, and Eose was hid in a tree, but 
I ’m awful sleepy and hungry. Can 1 have some 
supper right away ? ” 


AN ENCHANTED PALACE. 


53 


“ Where ’s Eob ? " 

Eob answered the question in person. He bolted 
through the door, slammed it shut, threw his cap 
down in one chair and his coat in another, and began 
tugging at one boot while he balanced himself on 
the other foot. 

“We -Ve had a splendid time, and I feel as if I 
could almost eat a bear ! ” 

“ Not quite so boisterous, Eob,” said his mother, 
while Aunt Euth put her hand to her forehead. 

“ O, I did n’t mean to ” ; and the refractory boot 
was landed on the opposite side of the hearth with 
a jerk. “ I never can be still, mamma.” 

“ I ’m — so — hungry.” 

Kathie put Fred in his place. Eob drew up Aunt 
Euth, chair and all, and in a few moments they were 
at supper 

“ How late you stayed ! ” Mrs. Alston said, pres- 
ently. 

“ I guess we did n’t think it was so late,” returned 
Kathie. 

“ I hope you have n’t taken cold. Were you out 
of doors all the time ? ” 

Kathie began to explain what they had been do- 


54 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


ing, and Eob made frequent interruptions. Aunt 
Eutb was a good deal interested. 

Kathie put Fred to bed, and then brought her little 
chair beside Aunt Euth, taking the thin white hand 
in hers. 

“ 0 Aunt Euth,” she said, '' I wish you were a 
little girl again, and just as well as I am.” 

The pale lips pressed a fond kiss on those beside 
her, so young and warm and sweet. 


THINKING OF OTHEKS. 


55 


CHAPTEE IV. 

THINKING OF OTHERS. 

Charlie Darrell drew a hassock close to his sis- 
ter Jessie, who sat crocheting. He had reached home 
just in time for supper, and described the afternoon’s 
amusement in glowing terms. But now he felt a lit- 
tle drowsy and a little lazy, and he was very fond 
of watching Jessie. She was seventeen, three years 
older than Charlie, and they had a sister stiU older, 
who was married. 

Charlie loved her dearly. In fact she was a very 
lovable, sweet-tempered girl, nearly always ready to 
listen, and to assist him in any way that she could. 
And in return he was very obliging, and tried to be 
quiet and well-behaved as well as kind. 

He looked round the room now, and could n’t help 
feeling how cheerful and pretty it was. A large 
open-front stove, where the coals glowed ruddily and 
shot up feathery dancing spires of scarlet and blue 
flame. There was a soft rug before it, with the pic- 


5(5 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


ture of a hunting-dog plunging through reeds, sedge- 
grass, and lilies for some ducks in the distance. 
A great, comfortable-looking house-cat lay upon it, 
stretching herself and purring out her gratitude. The 
carpet was bright, some pictures hung around the 
walls, a bookcase was in one wide recess, and the 
bay-window was filled with Jessie’s flowers. There 
was a lamp burning on the centre-table, and the por 
celain shade was beautifully ornamented with several 
tiny pictures. It was a charming, cosey room. 

And as Charlie enjoyed this in a half-sleepy way 
another picture came into his mind, — a plain, low- 
ceiled room, with a rather worn rag-carpet on the 
floor, very common furniture, and a faded chintz- 
covered lounge, very few books, no pictures worth 
mentioning, two tired-looking women always sewing, 
and dear little Kathie. What a hard life she had ! 

Jessie,” he said, “I think Kathie Alston is the 
best and noblest little girl that I ever knew.” 

''She seems very nice and pleasant. I like her 
because she always looks so cheerful.” 

"And she is n’t a bit selfish. She would give up 
anything if some one else wanted it. And she’s 
continually thinking of others, and wishing they were 


THINKING OF OTHEES. 


57 


^‘Tlie right spirit, I am sure.” 

“ And liob ’s such a — well, he 's rude and 
thouglitless, and never seems to appreciate what 
she does. He is good-natured to us hoys, and a 
capital fellow for fun, but I wish Kathie had a 
nice home — ” 

“ Is n’t her home pleasant ? Mrs. Alston appears 
to be a very kind woman.” 

0, I like her and Kathie’s Aunt Euth, but it is 
sad to be poor, and to have to work hard.” 

“ Yes, indeed,” Jessie said. 

Kathie ’s always thinking of her Aunt Euth, and 
wishing she was well. It ’s real hard to be sick and 
lame.” 

" I have met Miss Conover several times, and I 
think she bears her burdens very patiently.” 

“ But it ’s hard, all the same.” 

“Yes, Charlie, it is”; and Jessie drooped her 
thoughtful brown eyes. 

There was a pause, and presently Charlie began 
again : “ Jessie, do you think we could do anything 
to make Miss Conover happier.” 

“ I don’t know, Charlie ; have you thought of any 
plan ? ” 


3 * 


58 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


“ Only ” — Charlie hesitated a little — if we 
could take her out to ride.” 

Do you think she would go ? ” 

“ Why, yes ” ; and then Charlie repeated the few 
words that had passed between him and Kathie. 

‘‘We might do that. Dolly is so gentle that no 
one would he afraid with her. Sleigh-riding did you 
mean ? ” 

“ Yes. Would n’t it be nice ? Kathie would feel 
so delighted.” 

“ Suppose we go next week, the first nice day ? 
We will take the two-seat sleigh, and invite both 
Kathie and her aunt.” 

“ Splendid ! ” said Charlie. 

“ And I can do it very nicely, Mrs. Thomas asked 
me the other day whom she could get to do some 
fine needlework. I ’ll go and see if Miss Conover 
can undertake it, and then we will ask them to drive 
with us.” 

“ J ust the thing. 

Then he came to kiss Jessie, and went off to bed 
thankful that he had discovered a way of making 
some one happy, and, most of all, Kathie. 

The next day being Sunday there was no playing 


THINKING OF OTHEES. 


59 


or snow-balling. It was cold but clear, and sunny as 
a midsummer day. The children were none the worse 
for their ice-palace party ; even Freddy, when he woke 
up, was as bright as a daisy. 

Sunday was always a long day to Rob. He went 
to church in the morning with his mother and Kathie, 
and to Sunday school in the afternoon ; but it seemed 
as if he had read every book in the house and heard 
everything. 

"0 dear,” he said after supper, as Kathie was 
washing up the dishes, — for on Sunday they had a fire 
in the parlor, as the room fronted the street, and look- 
ing at the people passing made a pleasant break in 
Aunt Ruth’s monotonous days, — “O dear, I don’t 
know what to do with myself ! ” 

" You ’ll have to fight a giant,” Kathie answered, 
soberly. 

Let ’s hear about that, Kathie ” ; and, for a won- 
der, Rob was quite interested. 

“ You know I was telling you the other day that 
Aunt Ruth said our evil tempers and feelings soon 
grew to be giants if we did n’t make war upon them. 
And that part of fairy-stories is true, for some people 
do set out to kill giants.” 


60 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


“ Whicli one shall I go at ? ” 

“ I think, Eob,” — and Kathie hesitated a little, — 
“that the Sunday giant is Eestlessness.” 

“ I can’t help it. I ’m a boy, and I can’t be still.” 

“ Not if you try very hard ? ” Kathie smiled hex 
sweetest. 

“ Well — ” Kob looked rather undecided. “ About 
the Monday giant then ? ” 

Kathie laughed. “ Are you going to have a giant 
for every day ? ” she asked. 

“ I dare say you could find a dozen.” 

“ But, Eob, I ’m not trying to ; I love you dearly.” 

“ Giant number two ? Go on.” 

“ One giant is Thoughtlessness. He ’s troubled 
me a good deal too.” 

“ Well, number three ? ” 

“You ’re — pretty — boisterous, sometimes,” Kathie 
said, slowly. 

“ I can’t help that, Kathie, I positively can’t. 1 
think everything makes more noise with me than with 
any other fellow in the world. If I touch a chair, it ’s 
sure to fall over ; if I go for coal, ever so many pieces 
drop out; and water always slops over, and I catch 
my foot in the carpet, and — and — I 'm a bother 


THINKING OF OTHERS 


61 


generally. I wish 1 was n’t. I 'd rather be a nice 
fellow like Charlie Darrell.” 

That was a great admission for Eoh to make. 
Generally he thought himself as good as anybody. 

“But, Rob, dear, one can take pains.” 

“ I always forget ” ; and Rob brought his fist down 
on the table so vigorously that all the dishes i-attled. 

“ Kathie,” said her mother, looking in, “ what is the 
matter ? ” 

“ There, that ’s just it. I seem bound to make a 
noise anyhow. I was only telling Kathie some- 
thing.” 

“ Don’t tell quite so loud. I thought the dishes 
were broken.” 

“ Kow I ’m all done,” said Kathie, cheerily. “ Rob, 
I ’m pretty bad about remembering, so I made up my 
mind to fight that giant. Every time that I forget I 
just stop and do something that is n’t so pleasant by 
way of punishment.” 

“ Like what ? ” Rob was fond of illustrations. 

“ Well, the other morning I could n’t find my 
lunch-basket, and when I went to school I saw 
that Miss Moore had hung it up amongst the mis- 
laid articles. I felt pretty badly, for I did n’t mean to 


62 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES, 


get one discredit this quarter ; but I thought that 
was n’t quite enough, so I made myself stay in while 
the others were having a good time. It was real 
hard. And since, when I ’ve left some things un 
done, or forgotten what mamma told me, I go and 
do whatever is the greatest hardship.’* 

Eob whistled thoughtfully. It was n’t exactly a 
Sunday tune, to be sure ; but he was doing some 
pretty good thinking. 

“ Kathie,” he said presently, everybody likes you 
so. Charlie Darrell wishes you were his sister.” 

“ I ’m not going to be anybody’s sister but yours, 
dear old Eob ” ; and Kathie gave the curly, chestnut- 
colored head a fond squeeze, and then kissed the 
warm, rosy lips. 

Eob winked away some tears. Is it easy to be 
good, Kathie?” 

“Not — very ; but I guess the more you do of it 
the easier it comes. And then it makes others so 
much happier.” 

Eob put his feet on the stove-hearth and his elbows 
on his knees, and was lost in a brown study. I think 
I ’ll look after some of the giants,” he said, lighting 
his lamp to go to bed. 


A PLEASANT SURPRISE. 


63 


CHAPTER V. 

A PLEASANT SURPRISE. 

Om Monday afternoon Kathie hurried home from 
school to help her mother finish some sewing. She 
had hardly seated herself and found her thimble and 
scissors, when there was a jingle of bells before the 
door. Slie sprang up and ran to the window. 

“ 0 mamma, it ’s Charlie and Miss J essie Darrell ! 
and Miss Jessie ’s coming in. 0 mamma, if wt 
only had a fire in our parlor ! ” 

Never mind about that, my dear ; go to the door 
at once.” 

Kathie obeyed, thinking that there did n’t a great 
many people live in their kitchens altogether. 

Miss Jessie was smiling and social. She wished 
Kathie good afternoon, and asked if she could see her 
aunt. Miss Conover. 

So there was no other course but to invite her into 
the kitchen. She wore a beautiful gray empress- 
cloth that looked like heavy silk, trimmed with 


64 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


scarlet velvet ; her cloak was lovely pearl-colored 
material, with tiny blue and scarlet dots ; and Kathie 
knew that she had an elegant velvet one beside. Her 
white French felt hat was trimmed with bands of 
scarlet velvet and a dainty scarlet plume. She looked 
so very pretty that she almost shamed the plain, 
faded room. 

And yet she never appeared to notice it at all. 
She sat down in the rush-bottomed chair and made 
herself quite at home, inquiring very cordially how 
both ladies were, and talking of the fine weather and 
the delightful sleigh-riding. Then she asked Miss 
Conover about the embroidering. 

“Mrs. Thomas will have quite a good deal,” she 
said, “ and she is willing to pay liberally to some one 
who will do it neatly ; and so I thought I ’d see you 
about it.” 

Miss Jessie’s sweet voice and gracious manner 
made this seem a real compliment. Aunt Euth 
colored with a fiush of gratified feeling. 

“ I could undertake it after a week or two,” she 
answered. Then she asked Kathie to get some pieces 
of needlework from a drawer in the front room. 

“These are very handsomely done,” M’^is Jessie 


A PLEASANT SURPRISE. 


65 


said ; “ I know Mrs. Thomas will be pleased to have 
hers in such neat hands. I ’ll tell her to-morrow.” 

Aunt Euth thanked her for the kind interest. 

“ Are you as well as you were in the summer ? ” 
Miss Jessie asked next. 

“ Not quite,” said Aunt Euth ; 1 can’t have as 

much air and exercise. In this slippery weather I 
don’t, dare to go out at aU.” 

It would he a great deprivation to me, and I dare 
say it is to you. And, now that it happens to be so 
very convenient, suppose you and Kathie should take 
a little ride with us ? We were just going out for 
pleasure.” 

Oh ! ” exclaimed Kathie, her eyes as bright as 
stars. Aunt Euth looked rather doubtful. 

“ Please don’t disappoint me. Charlie will be 
delighted to have a sleigh full, and our horse is very 
gentle. It is n’t bitterly cold either, and, now that 
the weather is beginning to moderate, the sleighing 
may soon come to an end.” 

Jessie’s face was so sweet and .entreating that 
Aunt Euth found it very hard to resist. 

“ I ’m quite a trouble,” she answered, “ and Eob 
is n’t here to help.” 


66 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


“ But I could/’ exclaimed Kathie, eagerly. 0 
Aunt Kuth, please do go. I ’ve been wishing some- 
thing nice would happen to you, and this is splen- 
did.” 

“I heard of your being a fairy godmother the 
other day, so I suppose you have only to desire any- 
thing and it comes to pass. I think I must have 
happened in in answer to your wish.” 

Miss Jessie smiled in such a lovely fashion that 
Kathie’s heart was won. 

‘‘ I ’d like to be able to wish nice things for 
everybody, and have them come to pass,” she said. 

'' You ’ll have to get your wand and touch Aunt 
Kuth, so that she can be transported to the sleigh.” 

This wand,” said Kathie ; and her arms were 
around Aunt Euth’s neck, while the eager lips kissed 
a reluctant assent. 

“ I ’m afraid Miss Jessie will think us a good deal 
of trouble.” 

“ 0 no, indeed. Kathie, will you run and tell 
Charlie to tie the horse and come in a moment ? ” 

Kathie was off like a flash. 

“ I thought you were n’t ever coming,” Charlie ex- 
claimed, for he had begun to grow impatient. “ But 


A PLEASANT SURPRISE. 


67 


I ’m so glad. Now, Dolly, we ’ll be off in a 
trice.” 

Mrs. Alston bundled her sister up nice and warm, 
and Charlie helped her into the sleigh with the air of 
a gentleman. Jessie took a seat behind her, saying, 
“ We ’ll put Kathie in front to keep off the wind ” ; at 
which Charlie laughed. 

There was Kathie in her scarlet and white hood, 
looking pretty enough for any fairy in the land. 
Charlie tucked her in with a soft blanket and drew 
up the wolf-skin. 

“ I suppose Charlie drives a good deal,” Aunt Ruth 
said. The first dash rather started her. 

O yes. Papa trusts him with all our horses 
except one. We have a very fiery fast horse that 
is rather beyond Charlie.” 

“ You won ’t mind if we go fast ; will you. Aunt 
Ruth ? ” Kathie asked, after she and Charlie had been 
indulging in a whispered consultation. 

""No”; and Aunt Ruth smiled. She was begin- 
ning to feel quite courageous. 

Dolly pricked up her ears, shook her glossy mane, 
and started off, skimming over the snow like a bird. 
The roads were in a very fine condition, and the air 


68 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


keen and bracing without the sting of the coldest 
days. A faint pink came to Aunt Ruth’s cheeks. 
Her memory went back to the time when she had 
been as young as Miss Jessie, and enjoying a happy, 
care-free life. Brave Brother Robert had been her es- 
cort in those days, — dear Rob sleeping somewhere 
under an Indian sky, the fortune lost, and generous- 
hearted Fred Alston dead. What changes there had 
been since Rob left them, ten years before ! 

Kathie was wild with delight. For children the 
present is all sufficient, and to see Dolly flying along, 
her slender legs looking like a mere thread, and 
hear Charlie Darrell’s pleasant voice, was enjoyment 
enough. The warm blood seemed to race from pulse 
to pulse, her heart beat rapidly with her great joy, 
and the fresh wind made her rosy cheeks rosier than 
ever. Down the south went the sun, and presently 
dropped out of sight. They were homeward bound. 
Miss Jessie took good care that Aunt Ruth should be 
comfortable. 

"‘Has n’t it been splendid!” ejaculated Kathie, in 
a breathless fashion. “O Miss Jessie, I ’m so 
thankful ! ” 

“ And I am very glad to have given you so much 
pleasure. Some time we will try it again.” 


A PLEASANT SURPRISE. 


69 


Charlie thought that he. would like to have Kathie 
know^ how much of the plan was his, but he did n’t 
see any good way of telling it. 

So they were both helped out, and Eob was there* 
to receive them. He had half a mind to drive back 
with Charlie, but on the whole he concluded it was 
best to resist the temptation, as his mother was pre- 
paring supper. 

Kathie was in the gayest spirits, praising the 
ride, the horse, and most of all Miss Jessie. 

“ I say,” put in Fred, rather aggrieved, it ’s real 
mean that you did n’t take me. I could have 
crowded down in the. blankets.” 

“ But you were n’t here, Fred.” 

“Well, you might have waited a teeny little while. 
I did come home real soon.” 

“ Hush, Fred,” said his mother. “ Kathie had noth- 
ing to do with it except to go when she was asked.” 

Aunt Euth was quite tired, and after supper lay on 
the lounge. Kathie caught sight of the unfinished 
work, and her tender conscience smote her. 

“ Mamma,” she began, “ I meant to help you sew 
this afternoon, and I ran off and forgot all about 

it” 


70 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


“ I did n’t expect you to stay at home ; indeed, I 
should not have allowed you to.” 

But the forgetting, mamma, and when I am try- 
ing so hard to remember ! ” Kathie’s eyes filled with 
tears. 

“ Never mind, my dear ; I don’t know as any one 
ever becomes so perfect as always to think of every- 
thing.” 

“ But I ’ll sew now.” 

“ No, Kathie, it is n’t worth while. After being 
out in the wind for so long you ’ll soon find yourself 
getting sleepy. I ’ll take ihe kind will for the deed.” 

After putting Fred to bed, Kathie drew a stool up 
to the lounge and talked to Aunt Euth. Some way , 
the conversation turned upon the lost Uncle Eobert. 

Kathie had heard the story many times before, but 
to-night it seemed to interest her specially. 

Don’t you believe he ever will come back ? ” 
Kathie asked, earnestly. “ Would n’t it be nice if 
some day he took us all by surprise, and came home 
rich as Mr. Darrell ? ” 

Aunt Euth sighed. "‘That will never be, dear. 
Eobert was n’t the man to forget his sisters so many 
years.” 


A PLEASANT SURPRISE. 


71 


But you never heard that he was dead ? ” 

‘‘ True, only we know if he had been living he 
would have written.” 

Kathie wanted to be a fairy more than ever, and 
bring Uncle Eobert back in some queer way that 
would astonish them all. And then she wondered if 
he was like Brother Eob or Charlie Darrell. What 
a dear, lovely afternoon it had been ! How delightful 
it was to be weU and have pleasant things happen to 
you, and — There was a rosy mist before Kathie’s 
eyes and a weight settling upon her brain. Over 
came the little head on Aunt Euth’s arm. 

“1 am sleepy, sure enough,” said Kathie, with a 
little laugh. “ I guess I ’ll go to bed. Good night, 
mamma; good night, dear Aunt Euthie. Let’s all 
pray that God will send Uncle Eobert back.” 

How many vain prayers had passed Aunt 'Euth’s 
lips ! Yet Kathie’s sweet, cheery voice seemed to stir 
hope again. 

“ What a comfort the child is ! ” she said to Mrs. 
Alston. “ For her sake I wish we were more pros- 
perous. I sometimes wonder how you will get them 
all educated.” 

“We must trust in God,” Mrs. Alston replied. 


72 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


“ And not worry about the bridge until we have to 
cross it. But poor Bob ! I wonder if he found any 
friends at the last.” 

“Let us hope that he did,” was the tremulous 
reply. 

At times life seemed a hard burden indeed to Mrs. 
Alston. Her husband had died after a short illness, 
just as he was beginning to prosper, and when Freddy 
was but a month old. To this shock succeeded a long 
and severe illness, and when she was able to resume 
her place once more, it was but to hear of fresh mis- 
fortunes. The income that had been left to Euth and 
herself from lier father’s property was swept away by 
a financial reversion, and they found themselves nearly 
penniless. Mr. Alston’s partner offered them, in lieu 
of money, a house in a pretty country town, which he 
represented as likely to increase in value, and elo- 
quently set forth the advantages of having a home ; 
and just then, feeling that it made no difference to 
her where she went, she accepted his proposal. In 
the mean while Euth had a severe and dangerous fall, 
which was likely to leave her a cripple for life. Dis- 
couraged to the uttermost, it was with a heavy heart 
that Mrs. Alston removed to Brookside. Here a fresh 


A PLEASANT SURPRISE. 


73 


disappointment awaited her. The house was old and 
out of repair, and slie was indeed a stranger in a 
strange land. If she could have sold again, she would 
have returned immediately to the city, where she had 
some friends ; but that was quite impossible. She had 
parted with her most valuable furniture, so with the 
remnants she tried to give the place a homelike look. 
Ruth recovered slowly, and Mrs. Alston soon found 
that her small income would not support them all. 
She could think of nothing but sewing, and she man- 
aged to earn considerable by this, while Ruth did em- 
broidering and various kinds of needlework. They 
did not want for any of the necessaries of Rfe, but 
they had not many of its luxuries. 

Since their arrival in Brookside they had not heard 
from their brother, who had gone to China some three 
years before. He had rambled about considerably, 
their last news of him being dated at Bombay, and 
Mrs. Alston knew at once that he had missed a letter 
from Ruth (Jetailing their misfortunes. Several times 
afterward they sent letters to him, but no answers ever 
came. And now little Freddy was eight years old, 
— eight years of sorrow, care, and trouble. 

This was not all. There was a future to be con* 


4 


74 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


sidered. Kob was nearly fourteen, a smart, bright 
fellow, but rough, impatient, and thoughtless. In 
another year it would be necessary for him to go at 
some kind of business, and in this little town there 
was nothing scarcely to do. Must she send him away 
from home, or would another removal have to take 
place ? Often did she ponder these things, never 
reaching any definite conclusion. 0 for some trusty 
friend to advise and comfort ! She had been out of 
the world so long that she scarcely knew how to take 
an important step. 

She thanked God in her prayers that night for 
womanly little Kathie, the comfort of her weariest 
hours, and she tried to trust for the dark future that 
she could not see. 

But Kathie, young and bright and cheerful, was not 
troubled with anxious forebodings. Only she could 
not help thinking that it would be very pleasant and 
comfortable to have a pretty house and plenty of 
money. If mamma could dress up and be a lady, for 
she was as pretty as anybody, and if Freddy could 
have a play-house full of toys, and Kob all the boats, 
dogs, turning-poles, and various other things that he 
wanted, how happy they would all be ! 


A PLEASANT SUKPRISE. 


75 


But these items could not be had without money, 
and there was no way to get it until Eob grew to be 
a man. 

Eob was wild to be a sailor. He passed by Kathie’s 
fairy-books with a disdainful smile, and turned his 
attention to wonderful adventures or sea voyages. 
Sometimes being an Indian hunter quite divided his 
regard, but he generally came back to his first love. 
How much these desires pained his mother’s heart he 
never knew. 

A few days after the ride Mrs. Thomas called with 
her embroidery. She was a young and pretty woman, 
quite chatty and agreeable. Aunt Euth’s needlework 
delighted her. She mentioned the price she had been 
used to paying, but it was n’t done as handsomely 
as yours,” she said, “ and yours is worth more. It 
will be quite a treat to have such beautiful work.” 

“ I heard that you did plain sewing, Mrs, Alston,” 
she went on, “ and I have a great pile of sheets and 
pillow-cases to make up. Having a little baby, T can’t 
find time for much myself, so if you are not very busy, 
I think I ’ll send them over to you.” 

Mrs. Alston expressed her readiness to take them. 

Quite a bright rift in the clouds,” said Aunt Euth 


76 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


when they were alone. “ Kathie, I do believe that 
we shall be able to have a new parlor carpet in the 
spring.” 

“ I ’ll do all I can to help,” was Kathie’s delighted 
rejoinder. 


ROB’S GIANTS. 


77 


OHAPTEE VI. 

ROB’S GIANTS. 

One day Eob came home with what he declared to 
be a splitting headache. His face was flushed, his 
temples throbbing, and there was n’t a spot in his 
whole body but what pained. 

“ You must have taken a dreadful cold,” his mother 
said. “ I hope you are not going to be sick.” 

" Just let me lie down on the lounge and be quiet,” 
was all he could say. 

She bathed his feet and put on mustard draughts, 
gave him some hot tea, and tied a napkin round his 
head wet with vinegar and water. So there he lay 
turning and tumbling about and wishing he could 
sleep. 

Poor Eob ! By morning his fever was higher, and 
Kathie was sent for the doctor. 

“ A touch of bilious fever,” said Dr. Page. " He is 
a good deal out of order and has taken a severe 
cold.” 


78 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


But do you think it will prove dangerous ? ” 

“ 0 no. He will be about again in a fortnight.” 

So Mrs. Alston had Bob’s bed brought down to the 
parlor and a fire made there. Aunt Euth watched 
him during the day, and his mother took care of him 
at night. 

Kathie had a double share of work, — all the er- 
rands to do, coal to bring in, kindling-wood to split, 
and to amuse Fred, who hung after her continually, 
as there was no wonderful Bob to follow about. 

For a week Bob was pretty sick. He didn’t take 
much notice of any one, but tossed about restlessly, 
and wondered if he never should be cool again ; but 
after a while he grew more tranquil, and began to 
think of something to eat. His mother toasted him a 
piece of bread. 

He chewed with very long teeth, as people say 
After two or three mouthfuls he said, slowly, “ Moth, 
er, is n’t this bread a little bitter ? ” 

“ No,” she answered ; “ it is because you are still 
feverish.’^ 

“ I ’d like a drink of cold tea, I believe.” 

But that did n’t quite come up to the mark either. 

I wonder if soup would n’t be better ? ” 


ROB’S GIANTS. 


79 


“ Perhaps so. When the butcher comes 1 11 get a 
piece of meat and make you some nice broth.” 

Eob thought of the broth for the next three hours. 
It had such an appetizing fragrance that he was sure 
it would taste good. Alas for his hopes ! 

“ Did you put in any salt ? ” he asked, languidly, 
after he had taken a few spoonfuls. 

“ Yes, it is very well seasoned,” replied his mother. 

It was n’t quite right, however. 

“ I wish you ’d put in some more,” he said presently. 

Mrs. Alston obeyed his behest. 

‘‘And some more pepper.” 

“ Pepper is n’t very good, Eob.” 

“ But a little would n’t hurt me.” 

Eob was so weak that he felt babyish, and when 
his mother saw the slow tears coming in his eyes 
she yielded against her better judgment. 

He managed to swallow a little, then he turned to 
his pillow again. 

“ Mother,” he said, just as she was settled at her 
sewing, “ is n’t there some currant jelly ? ” 

“ Yes, Eob.” 

“ Could n’t I have a taste ? You know I like bread 
and currant jelly so much.” 


80 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


His mother rose and went to the closet where she 
kept her preserves, uncovered the jar, and took out 
some. 

“ I ’ll just bring you the bread,” she exclaimed, 
“ and you can put it on or eat it alone.” 

She arranged a little tray on the bed and left Eob 
to help himself. 

Though bread and jelly might be royal for a hun- 
gry boy, it held no potent charm for him now. Then 
he tried it alone. That tasted quite good ; but now 
he was taken with a fit of thirst. 

“ 0 mother,” he began, “ don’t you know what nice 
drinks you used to make out of currant jelly and 
water? Won’t you fix me some?” 

Mrs. Alston had sewed about an inch. She waited 
upon her son again. 

“ That ’s real good, the best thing I ’ve had yet ! ” 

His smile, faint though it was, rewarded her. He 
sipped in a pleased fashion, declaring that it looked 
like wine. 

“ Mother,” about ten minutes after, “ don’t you think 
I could sit up a little while ? ” 

“ Why, yes, if you feel like it.” 

“ I believe I do.” 


ROB’S GIANTS. 


81 


She drew up the large rocking-chair, put a blanket 
over it and a pillow at the back. Then she helped 
Eob to get up, put him comfortably in and covered 
liim nicely. 

“ That ’s splendid ! I feel as if my bones were ’most 
worn through. I ’ve been pretty sick ; have n’t 1, 
mother ? ” 

'' Quite sick, Eob.” 

Any of the boys been to see me ? ” 

“ 0 yes, — Charlie Darrell, Harry Cox, and several 
of the others, and Dick Grayson too ; but you were 
a little delirious most of the time, so you couldn’t 
talk to them.” 

Was I ? What did I say ? ” Eob thought that 
quite an exploit. 

“ You built snow-houses, went sledding, played ball 
and marbles, and scolded Freddy.” 

“ Did I ? ” Eob smiled a little at that. “ But, 
mother, you don’t know what a bother Fred is. He 
thinks he must do just as the big boys do, and some- 
times I can’t stir without his being in my way. 
Seems to me little children ought always to play with 
girls.” 

“ Because girls have more patience, Eob ? ” 

4* y 


82 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


A faint tinge of color came to Eob’s cheek 
“Well, not exactly that, mother, but boys are 
always running or doing something hard, and little 
ones get hurt.” 

“ All children are a good deal of care and trouble.” 

Eob felt quite sure that he was n’t very much, but 
he began to grow tired of talking and could n’t argue 
the point. 

“ I wish you ’d get my Eobinson Crusoe, mother,” 
he said a few minutes after. 

There was a book-rack in the parlor, and each of 
the children had a sheK. His mother dropped her 
sewing and looked the books over. 

“ It is n’t here, Eob,” she said. 

“ 0 yes, it must be, mother. I always put it there,” 
he exclaimed, confidently. 

“ But it certainly is not here now.” 

“ 0, 1 know ; I had it up stairs. It ’s on one of 
my shelves.” 

“ I think it is n’t best for you to read,” was his 
mother’s rejoinder. 

“ I don’t want to read, I only want to look at the 
pictures. It ’s so tiresome to sit here and do nothing.” 
The ready tears came again to Eob’s eyes. 


ROB’S GIANTS. 


83 


And you ’re quite sure it is up stairs ? ” 

“ 0 yes. I remember taking it one night when I 
went to bed. It had been lent to Jamie Hall.” 

So Mrs. Alston trudged up to Eob’s room. Ho 
Eobinson Crusoe on the shelves or in the closet. 
Then she searched his box of odd traps with no 
better success. 

“ How long she stays ! ” he exclaimed, impatiently. 

“I think you keep her pretty busy, Eob,” said 
Aunt Euth. don’t believe she has been quiet 
more than fifteen minutes at one time to-day.” 

Why, I have n’t asked her to do more than two or 
three things for me, and I ’m sure I ’d a great deal 
rather be well and help myself,” replied Eob, in an 
injured tone. 

It would only fret him to argue the point, so Aunt 
Euth kept the peace. 

Mrs. Alston returned in a little shiver. She had 
not expected to be detained so long, and had thrown 
nothing around her shoulders. Her face looked quite 
cold and blue. 

“ I could n’t find it anywhere, Eob,” she said, going 
to the fire to warm lier hands. 

“Did you look in my little box?” 


84 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


" Yes, and in the closet. It is n’t in the room.^' 
But, mother, T am quite sure. Jamie brought it 
home. He put a blue paper cover on it, you know.” 

“ I believe I remember the circumstance, but you 
must have lent it again.” 

No, mother, I ’m sure I have n’t.” 

“I do not think it is in the house.” 

“ But it must be,” said Bob, growing flushed and 
positive. ''It was my Christmas gift! 0 dear! if 
it ’s lost, — and so many splendid pictures in it 
too ! I never saw a Eobinson Crusoe I liked half 
as well.” 

" Maybe it will come to light some time. It can- 
not be lost unless you have mislaid it.” 

" But I ’m sure I took care of it the last time 1 
had it.” 

Kathie entered just then, bright and rosy. " O, 
Bob, actually sitting up ! ” she exclaimed, gayly. 
" Dear Bob ! Do you feel a good deal better ? 
But 0, how white you look ! ” 

" 0, Bob ’s out of bed ! ” put in Freddy, loudly. 
" Bob, are you all well ? Can’t you go out to play 
to-morrow ? ” 

" O Freddy, your voice goes through my liead like 


ROB’S GIANTS. 


85 


a trumpet. Mother, can’t you put me back to bed 
again ? I’m getting tired.” 

Mother had just sat down and taken up her 
needle. She rose and obeyed her son’s request. 

The bed feels so good,” he exclaimed. ‘‘ Freddy, 
do keep still ! ” 

“Get yourself good and warm, and you may go 
out to play a little while,” his mother said, gently. 

“ 0 Kathie,” began Eob again, “ have n’t you lent 
my Eobinson Crusoe to somebody ? Mother can’t 
find it anywhere. I would n’t have it lost for any- 
thing.” 

“ No, Eob, I have n’t had it. Let me see, — Jamie 
Hall brought it home ? ” 

“ Yes, I ’m sure. It ’s gone, and some one has 
taken it away. It ’s real mean ! ” and poor Eob was 
getting excited. 

Kathie thought a moment or two. “ 0 Eob, I 
believe I know. The day you were taken sick you 
liad it at school, drawing a picture out of it.” 

Eob looked perfectly amazed. It came over him 
like a flash. He had n’t quite finished the man 
Friday, so he put the book in the corner of his desk 
He could see it all like a picture, 


86 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


Don’t you remember ? ” and Kathie glanced at 
him. Something in her bright eyes said “ Giants ” ; 
and Itob was filled with confusion. 

“ Yes,” he rejoined, faintly, and then he lay very still. 

“ Kathie,” her mother said, “ I wish you ’d sew a 
little. I ’m quite behindhand.” 

A tear dropped from Eob’s eyes to the pillow. 
How much trouble and interruption he had caused 
his mother ! That about the book was altogether his 
own fault. How could he have been so careless as 
to forget ! He had worried himself too, for his head 
was beginning to ache, and little pains kept crawling 
down his back. And he could n’t help thinking 
that he ought to fight giants as well as Kathie. 

“I must try to remember,” he said to himself. 
There was quite a wet spot on the pillow ; and 
presently he turned his face over to the wall, and, 
being completely tired out, fell asleep. 

He little guessed how much pains they all took 
to keep quiet. Freddy didn’t think it much fun 
to play alone, and soon came in, and Aunt Euth read 
him a story to keep him still. Kathie sewed indus- 
triously until twilight, and then went out to do a few 
errands. Fred desired to go, of course. At first 


ROB’S GIANTS. 


87 


Kathie wanted to object ; but then she thought it 
would n’t be much worse for her to be bothered with 
him than Aunt Euth and mamma. 

But he proved a great plague, all because she was 
in a hurry, it seemed. He would stop and slide ; 
then he fell down, and she had to halt and pick 
him up and comfort him. 

0, I Ve hurt my hand ! ” he cried. “ Look at it, 
Kathie ; is n’t it bleeding ? ” 

“ It ’s so dark I can’t see. No, I guess not. Put 
on your mitten again.” 

“ It hurts so, it hurts so ! O dear ! ” 

If you had n’t run back to slide, you see, it would 
n’t have happened ; and sister ’s in a hurry too. 
Where ’s your mitten ? ” 

“ I laid it down there when I hurt my hand. 0 
dear ! I wish I had n’t come. Kathie, what made 
you bring me ? ” 

I ’m sure I did n’t want to, for you ’re a great 
bother. Let ’s go back arid find the mitten, if we 
can, — your nice new ones that Aunt Euth just knit ! 
and she would be very sorry if you lost one.” 

I ’ll sit here and cry while you go, Kathie. I ’m 
so cold, I ’m ’most frozen.” 


88 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


Kathie was out of patience, and wanted to give 
him a good shaking and a good scolding ; biit she 
thought of the giant just in time. She felt around 
the spot where Freddy had fallen, and soon found 
the lost article. 

“ Now, Fred, if you Ve had a good cry, we ’ll 
run home, and I ’ll tell you a story about a little 
boy ” ; and Kathie made quite a ludicrous affair 
out of his accident. 

“ 0, that ’s me,” lie said, laughing. “ T was a great 
baby. My hand don’t hurt any now, and I guess it ’s 
all well.” 

When Eob opened his eyes the lamp was burning, 
and he lieard a subdued stir as of supper-dishes. He 
felt quite hungry, and thought of his broth, and was 
just going to call, when a little reflection made him 
pause. 

“ I ’ll wait till mother ’s through,” he decided, 
which was quite a great effort for him. 

“ Kathie, go see if Eob is still asleep,” his mother 
said presently. 

“No, I ’m awake, and hungry as a bear. Can I 
have some broth ? ” 

His mother had it on the stove, keeping warm. 


ROB’S GIANTS. 


89 


She poured it into another bowl and brought it 
to him. 

He took two or three spoonfuls ravenously and 
then stopped. “Mother, this is as salt as brine; 
just taste of it.” 

She smiled. “ You would have it made salt, you 
know, but I have some other, only you must wait 
until it gets warm.” 

“ I ’ll wait,” he said, very pleasantly, though it 
seemed to him he would have to eat up the sheet 
and pillows, he was so nearly starved. 

“ Mother,” he said, when she returned, “ sick peo- 
ple are very queer ; are n’t they ? ” 

“ Yes, Eob ” ; and she drew a long breath. 

“ I ’ve made you a good deal of trouble this 
afternoon,” he went on, penitently. “ I ’m sorry, only 
I did feel so sure about the book. I don’t see how 
I came to forget.” 

“Very easily on that day, Eob. You were not 
well, and then being so sick immediately after, it was 
not at all strange. That is n’t near so bad as being 
positive when you are well and ought to remem- 
ber.” 

It was a great excuse of his to say that he forgot 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


HO 

More than once the picture of Kathie fighting hei 
giant had entered his mind. He was older, and 
ought to do as much, surely. 

“ When I get well I dl try and be more careful,” 
he said, in a low tone. “ You ’re so good and patient, 
mother ! ” 

She bent over to kiss him, and he clasped his arms 
tightly around her neck. 

0 mother, if you were dead, what would become 
of me ! It ’s so nice to have you ” ; and Eob sobbed 
softly. “When I ’m a man you shall not work at 
all I ’ll have a nice house and a servant to wait on 
you.” 

“If I have a good boy, and a good, honorable, 
useful man, I shall be satisfied.” 

Eob lay still for a long while and thought. 
Without meaning to be, he was a great, boisterous, 
selfish fellow, not half as useful as Kathie. Of 
course she was a girl, and — but Eob’s conscience 
told him that it was rather cowardly to expect girls 
to do all the work, and practise all the virtues, 
simply because they were girls. If he could get well, 
Kathie should n’t run of all the errands while he 
wa» off having fun. He meant to make her a black 


ROB’S GIANTS. 


91 


ring, and lend her his drawing-pencils whenever she 
wanted them. And he would n’t laugh at her, nor 
be rough, nor — And in the midst of his resolves 
Bob fell asleep. 


92 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


CHAPTEE VII. 

FREDDY’S TROUBLES. 

The next morning it rained. It was Saturday, 
too, and Freddy had to stay in the house. Eob felt 
much improved, and thought he would like to get up 
and have his breakfast. 

And while you ’re eating it I ’ll sweep the par- 
lor,” said Kathie, ^‘if you don’t mind being taken 
out in the kitchen.” 

“ 0 no, I shall like it ; I am about tired of this 
room.” 

Kathie brought out a little stand and put a fresh 
white towel over it ; then she begged her mother to 
let Eob have a china cup and plate. Mrs. Alston 
had kept a set of odd, antique china that liad been 
her mother’s, and Kathie thought them marvels of 
beauty and daintiness. 

She washed Eob’s face and brushed his hair. 
Her little fingers were so soft and gentle that he 
felt like kissing them. And there was his break' 


FREDDY’S TROUBLES. 


9a 


fast looking as tempting as if it had been set for 
a prince. 

I didn’t have any toast nor any jelly,” said Fred, 
surveying it with longing eyes. 

“ But you ’re not sick,” was Kathie’s answer. 

“ O, I wish I was ; sick people always have such 
nice things.” 

“And they also have headaches and pains, and 
take dreadful medicine. That part of it is n’t very 
nice, Freddy,” Eob rejoined. 

“ Did your head ache ? ” 

“Yes, indeed.” 

“ Well, I ’d like to have a headache,” Freddy said, 
reflectively ; “ then I could smell out of Aunt Kuth’s 
nice little bottle.” 

Eob laughed. 

“ Don’t lean on Eob’s table,” said Aunt Euth ; 
“ you ’ll tip it over.” 

“And that would be table-tippings,” suggested 
Eob, with a smile. 

“Do you want all the toast ? ” 

Freddy had edged round to Eob’s vicinity. 

“ Eun away,” said his mother ; “ you must n’t 
stand here teasing Eob.” 


94 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


Aunt Euth poured the tea. Breakfast tasted ex^ 
cellently to Eob. Beside the jelly, he had a little 
piece of meat broiled, and altogether he was making 
quite a meal. Indeed, he thought he would have felt 
well hut for a curious lightness in his head and a 
weakness in his limbs. 

Freddy was balancing himself on one leg of the 
bench. By and by there was a crash ; over went 
Freddy and the bench. Eob was weak and nervous, 
and gave a jump. 

“ 0 Freddy,” said his mother, “ you have been told 
not to do that ! ” 

"0 dear! 0 dear ! my head is split open! No, 
it ’s got a great bump. O dear ! ” 

“It served you just right, Freddy, for disobeying 
mamma. Now, stop crying; it makes too much 
noise for Eob.” 

“ 0 dear ! if he had his head hurt — ” 

“ Hush, or I shall send you up stairs in the 
cold.” 

Freddy cried to himself a little while, but that 
was n’t much fun. Presently he looked up at the 
table. “ There, you ’ve eaten all the toast ! ” he ex- 
claimed, ruefully. 


FREDDY’S TROUBLES. 


95 


And not had enough. Mamma must toast me 
some more, and if you ’ll sit still five minutes you 
shall have a piece.” 

Fred mounted a chair, feet and all. He wore 
a pair of old shoes because they were so much 
less noisy than his boots; and now he espied the 
string dangling from one, and thought he would 
take a quiet play at horse while he was waiting. 
So he trotted the one foot up and down, holding 
the strings as reins ; and though he did want to 
sing out, “ Two forty on the plank-road,” by a great 
effort he managed to say it softly, though it was 
n’t half as good. The pony came home, and he 
tied him up in the stable. This process was fas- 
tening the strings to the chair-back. 

Is n’t it five minutes ? ” he asked, looking round. 

" Not quite ; but you ’ve been a tolerably good 
boy, so here ’s some toast and jelly.” 

Fred gave a bound of delight. Alas ! down he 
came sprawling on the fioor, with the chair over him. 
Pony, at this juncture, broke the rein, and freed him- 
self by a vigorous kick. 

“ 0 Fred ! what is the matter ? ” and his mother 
picked him up. He cried pretty hard at first ; but. 


96 


KATHIE’S THRP:E WISHES. 


finding that he was not niiich Imrt, began to vary 
the exercises by talking at the same time. A queer 
jumble he made of his horse in the stable and 
the toast ; and it was some time before matters 
could be explained satisfactorily. 

Kob laughed till the tears came in his eyes, the 
affair seemed so comical to him. 

“ Keeping a fast horse is rather dangerous, Fred ; 
and trying to keep you still is almost impossible.” 

“ But I was still. I never spoke a word but softly, 
and I did n’t make a bit- of noise.” 

“ And came down with a crash at last. Since • you 
did n’t break your neck nor the chair, we ’ll try to stop 
your mouth with the toast, and be thankful ; only next 
time you fall I think you ’ll split my head open.” 

Fred looked as if he was considering how it could 
be done. His mother tied his shoe, wiped the tears 
from his face, and gave him strict injunctions about 
his future behavior. Then he was allowed to have 
the toast and jelly. 

“ Now,” said Aunt Euth, suppose you get your 
picture-book and sit down on the lloor a bttle while. 
You can’t very well fall there.” 

Freddy obeyed with alacrity 


FREDDY’S TROUBLES. 


97 


Aunt Euth, here ’s Harry and his dog. The dog 
pulled Harry out of the water and he gave him a sil- 
ver collar.” 

“ Who, the dog ? ” asked Eob. 

“ Yes, the dog.” 

“ And the dog led Harry around by a chain which 
was fast to the silver collar ! ” 

“ Ho, he did n’t ; Harry led the dog. I ’m telling 
Aunt Euth, not you.” 

Eob concluded he would try the lounge awhile. 
He could begin to help himself. 

Fred went on with his story, raising his voice at 
every new sentence. 

“ Hot quite so loud,” said Eob. 

I ’ve read my book all through,” Fred began 
presently. “ Can ’t I play with my blocks ? ” 

“ I ’m afraid you will make too much noise.” 

“ Ho, I won’t. I ’ll be just as still as a mouse or a 
squirrel.” 

“ We ’ll take the mouse part,” said Eob. 

So Fred began to build a tower. Of course, before 
he could get the top block on, down came the whole 
edifice with a crash. Eob, being just on the point of 
a doze, nearly sprang out of his skin.” 


98 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


“ Oh ! ” Fred exclaimed, aghast. I was so sure it 
would n’t tumble down ! ” 

“ Don’t build a high one,” said Aunt Kuth, softly. 

" Just one more, auntie. I ’ll be very sure that it 
won’t fall down.” 

“ No, not one.” 

Fred knew he must obey that tone. At first he had 
a mind to kick the blocks to the four corners of the 
room, but a second thought warned him that such a 
course would not be prudent. But somehow he could 
n’t get any low houses to suit. Presently he made a 
long inclined plane, when a happy thought popped 
into his head. He went very softly to his box, so as 
not to wake up Bob, took out some marbles and 
dropped them down the little square at the upper 
end. They rattled along, fell off the step at the bot- 
tom and rolled round the floor. 

“ 0 Freddy ! ” said Bob, “ you are the noisiest boy 
that I ever saw.” 

“ It ’s real mean for you to be sick ! A fellow 
can’t have any fun at all ! ” and Fred gave the nearest 
marble a vigorous kick that made it bound up 
against the wall. 

Katliie had finished the parlor, and was going up 
stairs to sweep. 


FREDDY’S TROUBLES. 


99 


I guess I ’ll take Fred along and amuse him,” 
she said, " and maybe Eob can get asleep.” 

Freddy was delighted. He trudged up stairs, carry- 
ing the dust-brush as a gTeat favor. Kathie made the 
beds, put away a pile of clean clothes, and then began 
to sweep. Freddy would run, to be sure, and when 
he helped dust, for he was delighted to work with 
Kathie, it proved a rather noisy operation, though she 
hoped they did not hear the sound very plainly down 
stairs. 

She had just finished the rooms and put her dust- 
pan in the little square hall, when Freddy, who was 
following fast upon her and asking a multitude of 
questions, stepped upon something that tdted and 
made him jump. Clatter, clatter went the pan down 
stairs, bumping every step and spilling the dust. 

“ You put it right there in the way,” began Fred, 
anxious to justify himself. 

“ I did n’t think it was going to be in the way. I 
quite forgot about an unlucky little boy who meets 
with accidents on every side.” 

“ That ’s because Eob ’s sick.” 

“ The very reason why we ought to be still.” 

But don’t you know everything always happens 


100 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


when you don’t want it ? ” said Fred, with great 
earnestness. 

I believe it does. Now I Ve. only the stairs to 
sweep, and you ’ll be in my way. Eun in the kitchen 
and be just as good as you can until I come.” 

Fred went very reluctantly. 

“Well, General,” said Eob, “what was the last 
explosion ? ” 

“ There was n’t any — any — splutter,” Fred re- 
turned, slowly. 

“We heard a great one and thought you had knocked 
the chimney over. Or was it you bouncing down 
stairs ? ” 

Fred looked rather sulky and made no answer. It 
was a fine thing for Eob to lie abed and scold about 
everybody. 

“ I think Fred is the noisiest boy that was ever 
created,” Eob went on ; “ don’t you, mother ? ” 

“ Boys in general have a faculty of making a racket 
very easily.” 

“ Don’t you. Aunt Euth ? ” 

Aunt Euth smiled. Just then Kathie entered the 
room. 

“ I ’ll leave it to you all,” said Eob, “ if Fred does n’t 


FREDDY’S TROUBLES. 


101 


make more noise in a day tlian I ever made in a 
week.” 

A wise and roguisli light came into Kathies eyes, 
and Eob remembered their Sunday-night talk before 
he was sick. 

“ Do you really tliink I ever made such a continu- 
ous racket ? ” he went on, loath to give up his cause. 
“ Why, it seems to me that Fred has n’t been still 
three minutes since he was out of bed.” 

You notice everything so much more easily when 
you are ill,” Aunt Euth explained. “ Fred has been 
rather unfortunate this morning, I’ will admit ; but 
your mother and I have become so accustomed to 
noise that we hardly notice it. Though when one 
has a headaclie and the door slams — ” 

“ That ’s me. Aunt Euth,” Eob said, soberly. '' It 
always seems so much handier to push a door than 
to stop and shut it ; and even if you only give it the 
least mite of a touch it ’s sure to slam. But I guess 
I shall think of it hereafter.” 

'' One learns many of these things by experience. 
It is good to be sick once or twice in the course 
of one’s lifetime.” 

Eob thought, while the dinner was getting ready, 


102 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


that there were more giants than he had im- 
agined at first. And then he watched Kathie, 
so cheerful and good-natured, with her bright look 
and ready smile and her quiet ways. He could n’t 
be like that, for he was n’t any kind of a girl-boy ; 
but he would begin to think a little about the 
comfort of his dear mother and Aunt Kuth. 

He was quite sleepy after dinner, and took a 
good nap, shut in the parlor. Freddy had but 
one mishap, which was to tumble partially over 
the coal-scuttle in search of his ball. Kathie 
washed him, brushed his soft hair, and put on a 
clean blouse with a white linen collar. Aunt Kuth 
declared he was as sweet as a new pink. 

After that, Kob thought he would try sitting 
up again. He was just nicely fixed in his chair 
when the Darrell carriage drove up. It had stopped 
raining, but was stiU cloudy and lowering. 

Charlie helped Jessie out. She had a basket 
on her arm, and nodded smilingly as she caught 
the glance of Kathie’s soft eyes. Then the little 
girl ran to the hall door. 

“ How is Rob getting along. Miss Kathie ? The 
doctor was in this morning iq gee grandma, nud 


FREDDY’S TROUBLES. 


103 


he said he did n’t believe a little company would 
hurt Eob ; so we came.” 

"‘He will be real glad to see you, and is sitting 
up.” 

This time she could usher Miss Jessie into the 
neat parlor, which she did very gracefully. Charlie 
followed behind. 

“Well, Eob,” said the soft, pleasant voice, “you 
look quite thin and delicate, not altogether equal 
to building snow-houses.” 

“No”; and Eob gave a faint smile. “But I ’m 
getting better. I ’ll soon be out again.” 

Miss Jessie went to talk to Mrs. Alston and 
Aunt Euth. Freddy sidled up to her and she 
kissed him. She seemed to be just as much at 
home as if she were some relative. 

“We thought we would bring Eob a few things 
for a change,” she began, taking the cover off her 
basket ; “ there is a glass of strawberries that mother 
sent with her love, and they taste almost like fresh 
fruit ; and there ’s some wine jelly that Charlie and 
I made, and a nice cake that is n’t very rich ; and 
here, Kathie, you may undo this.” 

A parcel wrapped in white paper; but Kathie 


104 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


detected the fragrance at once. She drew a long 
breath of delight, and held it before Rob. 

“ 0 Miss Jessie ! ” he exclaimed. 

Charlie said you liked flowers, so I thought I ’d 
bring you some. They look so pleasant in winter.” 

What lovely roses ! Three ! Wliy, how many 
have you. Miss Jessie?” Kathie exclaimed, her 
face in a glow. 

0, perhaps a dozen out. We have quite a pretty 
flower-room. You must come and see it some time.” 

Kathie arranged them very tastefully, — the three 
roses in the middle, a border of heliotrope, mignon- 
ette, and white alyssum, and a circle of rose- 
geranium leaves on the outside. Then she put 
them in a tumbler, and stood them on the mantel- 
piece. 

“ Why not have them on this little table, where 
Rob can see them better?” Miss Jessie asked. 

Kathie changed them with her winsome smile. 

Charlie and Rob had quite a school talk, — who 
had missed and who had kept their places, and all 
the details so pleasant to hear when one is shut out 
of the world, as it were. For it seemed to Rob as if 
he had been ill a month at least. 


FREDDY’S TROUBLES. 


105 


Mrs. Alston, by next Saturday Rob will be well 
enough to go out, if he keeps on improving. Sup- 
pose he comes and spends the day with Charlie. It 
will make a pleasant change ” ; and Jessie’s voice 
was almost irresistible. 

“ You are very kind,” Mrs. Alston said. 

‘‘ I ’ll come for him in the carriage,” announced 
Charlie, “ and we ’ll bundle him in the blankets so 
that he will not take a bit of cold.” 

There was nothing to do but consent. Kathie was 
delighted. 

“ And if you ’d come over in the afternoon,” Jessie 
said to her, “ it would be real pleasant. He might 
be getting homesick by that time.” 

Rob laughed at the idea. 

They had a very delightful time and Rob was 
none the worse, having a good appetite for his 
supper. 

“ I used to think Charlie almost too girlish,” Rob 
said to Kathie after he was lying comfortably in bed, 
but I like him better than ever. He ’s a real fine 
fellow, and I believe gentlemanly boys are the nicest, 
after all. Won’t it be splendid to stay there a whole 
day?” 


5 # 


106 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


I ’m SO glad they invited you/’ Kathie re- 
turned. 

Kob was quite tired, but felt somewhat restless, so 
Kathie sang to him, and in a little while he was 
asleep. She put the curtain aside and glanced out 
of the window. It had cleared up and there were 
several stars twinkling in the rifts of blue sky. Was 
she shining on and on like the starj Was she doing 
her duty and being patient, generous, and kind ? 

“ God help me to be just right in all things,” she 
prayed, softly. 


CINDERELLA 


107 


CHAPTER VIII. 

CINDERELLA. 

Rob improved rapidly. He had a tremendous 
appetite, and everything he came across was just 
about right. Miss Jessie’s gifts were positive lux- 
uries. And another very pleasant surprise happened 
in a day or two, — a call from Mrs. Grayson and 
Dick. Somehow Rob had n’t kept up the acquaint- 
ance with Dick in a very earnest fashion. 

'^I thought you were coming over again,” said 
Dick. “ I ’ve watched for you ever so many even- 
ings.” 

^^I did mean to, hut there have been so many 
things, and my lessons to study in the bargain. I 
started for a prize, but I shall not get it now ” ; and 
Rob sighed. 

“ It ’s too bad,” rejoined Dick. 

“ I had one last quarter, though it was partly a 
Christmas gift, — a splendid Robinson Crusoe! Is 
n’t it odd that you never get tired of that book ? ” 


108 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


Dick smiled. ‘‘ I have quite a library, Eob,” he 
said, and if you ’d like to have some of my books, 
you would be perfectly welcome to them. I was 
sick once, and I found getting well the most tire- 
some part of it.” 

Eob thanked him, and then they bad quite a school- 
boy talk about what they did at the academy and 
what they did at Mr. Johnson’s. Eob told his friend 
the story of the snow-house and the play they had in 
it, and how they finally demolished it. Dick thought 
it must have been great fun, and wished he had been 
there. 

The next Saturday was fine and sunny. Charlie 
Darrell came quite early, and Eob was delighted to 
step into the carriage and be whisked off to an en- 
chanted country, as Kathie called it. 

I ’m coming for you in the afternoon,” Charlie 
whispered. 

Kathie nodded gayly as they drove away, and then 
she went to her sweeping. It was just like fairy- 
land, after all, for some rode off to enjoy themselves, 
and others, like Cinderella, stayed at home to work. 
She did n’t envy Eob a bit, and was real glad to have 
him go. But she wondered a little if anything very 


CINDERELLA. 


109 


nice would ever happen to her. To he sure, going 
to the Darrells’ in a carriage was something I 

Very delightful she found it. Miss Jessie enter- 
tained them in a charming fashion. Kathie enjoyed 
the flowers and the birds, and especially the parrot, 
who had a droll way of winking and dropping his 
upper eyelid, and who could say remarkable things. 
Then there was the stereoscope with its beautiful 
pictures, and Grandma Darrell, who was very fond 
of children, and who told them stories of what hap- 
pened when she was young. Indeed, Kathie glan- 
cing up by accident, observed to her dismay that it 
was nearly dark. Where had the afternoon gone ? 

I think we must go home right away,” she said. 
“ Mamma told me that it was best for Eob not to be 
out after dark.” 

“ But you ’ll go home in the carriage, so that can’t 
make any difference. Supper will be ready in a 
little while.” 

Charlie uttered this in a most pleading tone and 
looked up with beseeching eyes. 

I think mamma did n’t mean us to stay to sup- 
per,” Kathie replied, frankly, and it will be dark by 
the time we get home, even if we start now. Not 


110 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


but what it would be very pleasant to stay, Charlie ” ; 
and there was a little quiver on Kathie’s lip that 
came round to a smile. 

“Kathie is quite right,” said grandma. “It is 
always' best for children to do just as they are bid- 
den. Anything a little different to suit themselves, 
spoils the grace of the deed, and is n’t perfect obe- 
dience.” 

“ Charlie, you had better order the carriage,” said 
his sister, “ and I will take Kathie up to my room to 
put on her cloak and hood. We have all had a very 
nice time.” 

The child slipped her hand into Miss Jessie’s, and 
it received a tender little squeeze. 

“ Do you know, Kathie, I think you are a brave 
little girl ? ” Miss Jessie said, as she was buttoning 
her cloak. 

Kathie’s eager eyes asked a question without a 
word. 

“ Because you showed so much decision in starting 
at the time your mother told you. I know you were 
enjoying yourself very much.” 

“ 0, I was, dear Miss Jessie. When I looked up 
and saw how dark it was growing, I knew we ought 


CINDERELLA. 


Ill 


to go home, but I did want to stay so much! It 
almost gave me a pain to say the words first, only 
it was right.”. 

“And I don’t coax you to stay, because I am 
pleased to see a little girl so ready to obey her 
mother. Some time you must come again and re- 
main all day.” 

“ I ’ve had such a lovely, lovely time 1 I ’m 
thankful for my own and for Eob’s sake too. And 
I ’m glad you do not think I was — ungracious — ” 

Jessie stooped to kiss the pink cheeks. “I 
think you are a dear little girl. Is it easy for 
you to be so good ? ” 

“ Not always,” said Kathie, honestly. “ Sometimes 
I have to try pretty hard, and I ’m not very good 
either.” 

Miss Jessie smiled at this. “ I fancy we all find 
it so.” 

“Carriage ready,” sang Charlie through the hall. 

Everybody kissed Kathie, and begged her to come 
again. Eob was bundled up like a mummy, he said, 
and away they all started, Charlie driving. Mrs. 
Darrell put in a basket containing something nice for 

W' 

Aunt Euth. 


112 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


They talked of their visit at supper-time. Fred 
thought it altogether too had that he could n’t have 
gone, — real mean, in fact. 

But I ’ll tell you everything we did and all we 
saw,” Kathie made answer. I suppose they did n’t 
ask you because there was n’t any little girls noi 
boys to play with.” 

“I ’m not so very little,” said Fred, with much 
dignity. 

Bob managed to get along pretty well, and by the 
end of another week believed himself able for al- 
most anything. His sickness had made him rather 
more thoughtful and gentle, and he resolved seriously 
that he would set about conquering some of the 
giants. He held himself in lower esteem than here- 
tofore, and was more willing to find some good in 
Kathie. 

One day a beautiful little note came for Bob and 
Kathie in a French envelope, and with an embossed 
13,” quite large and handsome. Kathie, being home 
the earliest, had the first sight. 

I do wonder what it is ! ” she said, turning it 
over in her fingers, and debating whether she could 
wait for Bob to come before she broke the seal. 


CINDERELLA. 


113 


" An invitation, I suppose,” said her mother. 

“0, I did n’t think of that! ‘D.’ That might 
stand for Dorrance, hut Sophie had a birthday party 
in the fall.” 

“ And D stands for Darrell, too,” exclaimed Aunt 
liuth. 

“Yes, but — ” And then Kathie wondered whether 
they really would invite her to a party at the 
Darrells’. 

“ I think I will not open it until Eob comes,” she 
said, presently. 

Aunt Kuth smiled, and Kathie knew she was 
pleased with her resolve. 

It seemed as if Eob would never return. He had 
met Dick Grayson and gone home with him, so it was 
dark, and Kathie was setting the table, when he made 
his appearance. She produced the note in triumph. 

“Why did n’t you see what it was ? Guess I 
should n’t have waited.” 

“I thought it would be a pleasure to you.” 

Eob was going to laugh, then he checked him- 
self. 

“ It was real sweet in you, Kathie, so open it now. 
I ’m dying with curiosity.” 


114 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


The daintiest little invitation to Charlie. Darrell’s 
birthday party on next Tuesday evening. It was 
Miss Jessie’s writing, of course, fine and elegant. 

“ Was n’t he mum about it to-day, though ? And 
won’t it be splendid ! ” 

“ Can’t I go this time ? ” asked little Fred. 

“ 0 Freddy, we ’re sorry ; but it ’s a big children’s 
party. I ’ll be sure to tell you all they do, and 
some time, perhaps, you can go.” 

But it ’s too bad ” ; and Fred began to cry. 

It is real hard,” said Kathie, in tender yet 
cheery tones. “Brave boys don’t cry over disap- 
pointments ; they would always be babies if they 
did, and you don’t mean to be a baby, do you ? ” 

“ No-o,” said Fred, over a big sob ; “ but could 
n’t you ask Charlie Darrell to invite me ? ” 

“Not this time, Freddy dear; but if Miss Jessie 
ever asks me to come again, I ’ll beg her to let 
me bring you along. You ’ll have a funny tune 
talking to the parrot. It will make you laugh to 
see him wink.” 

“ How does he go ? ” 

Kathie made a droll face and rolled her eyes 
around sleepily, until Fred laughed. 


CINDERELLA. 


115 


I must have that new suit of clothes,” 
began Eob ; “ my old trousers are dreadful shabby.” 

Kathie remembered noticing the knees the Satur- 
day they were at Mrs. Darrell’s, and feeling rather 
mortified as she contrasted them with Charlie’s 
every-day ones, which were so much better; she 
felt the force of Eob’s demand instantly. 

“Yes,” his mother said, “you do need a new 
suit badly; and you may as well have it now as 
a few weeks later.” 

Eob was delighted with her ready acquiescence. 

But the next day, when Kathie heard the girls 
planning what they were to wear, and several new 
dresses described, her own heart grew a trifle 
anxious. 

“Mamma,” she exclaimed that afternoon, as she 
was sewing away very industriously, “ could you 
afford to buy me a new dress too ? ” 

Mrs. Alston did not reply immediately. 

“ I suppose you could n’t ” ; and Kathie’s voice 
as well as her face fell a little. 

“I really can’t afford to get Eob’s clothes. His 
being sick has spent me a good deal of time when I 
might have worked; then the extra fire consumed 


116 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


SO much coal that I must get another ton next 
week. There ’s the doctor’s hill also.” 

^'0 mamma, if we were n’t quite so poor ! ” 

Kathie’s lip quivered, and before she was aware 
a tear dropped. 

My darling,” her mother said, “ I am so sorry 
to disappoint you. I think Koh needs his clothes 
the most ; and I shall order them at Mr. Brown’s 
and pay for them as I can. I have n’t the money 
to spare now to buy you a dress ; and your scarlet 
one still looks very nice. The white one, I suppose, 
is altogether too small.” 

And there ’s that great tear in the skirt, you 
know. Yes, I ’d rather wear the scarlet.” 

It was a severe trial to Kathie. The scarlet 
dress had been her only nice one all winter; and 
Lottie Thorne, who had quantities of pretty clothes, 
had declared that she must have a new dress or 
she would not go ; she would be ashamed to be 
seen in any of her old ones at such a place as the 
Darrells’. 

What if she did n’t go ? A great pang seized 
her heart. 0, she wanted to so much ! Miss 
Jessie had treated her as if she were the greatest 


CINDERELLA. 


117 


lady in the land ; and if it did n’t make any dif- 
ference to her, why should she mind ? But would 
she be happy when she saw the rest looking so 
gay and pretty ? 

Kathie had many anxious moments on the subject. 
She knew she ought to be content, and she tried 
hard ; yet, in spite of her efforts, wishes and un- 
comfortable feelings would rush over her heart. 
Sometimes she felt that it would be better to give 
it up, then she thought she should be quite ashamed 
to say to Miss Jessie that she stayed at home because 
she had no new dress to wear. She would n’t call 
that very brave ; and Kathie seemed to have a 
consciousness that it was a very mean kind of pride. 

She hoped no one would ask her what she meant 
to wear, and she managed to evade a confession of 
her poverty until Monday. Then Lottie Thorne was 
seized with a teasing fit and bantered her ungener- 
ously. 

‘‘ She means to outshine us aU, so she won’t tell. 
White satin, I suppose, and lace and diamonds. 
You ’ll be the star of the evening.” 

“ But you have a new dress, Kathie,” said one of 
the girls. “TeU her and stop her talking.” 


118 


KATHIE’S THKEE WISHES. 


Kathie choked down a big lump in her throat, 
and felt as if she must cry. 

“ I have n’t any new dress at all,” she said, des- 
perately. 

“ You don’t mean to wear that old scarlet thing ? ” 
was the next disdainful question. 

“ If I go I shall have to, for I can’t have any 
other.” 

Kathie summoned all her courage to utter that, 
and then she resolved to stay at home. Kob made 
his appearance on the scene just then, so the girls 
desisted from their tormenting. 

“ Come, Kathie,” he said, rather gruffly, “ let ’s go 
home.” 

Such an invitation was very unusual from Rob, 
and Kathie was glad to get away, even if the shelter 
of his wing did look rather threatening. 

You ’re a little fool, Kathie,” he began, angrily. 
“ What did you want to tell them for, and have them 
all laughing at you ? ” 

I could n’t help it, Rob ” ; and there was a great 
tremble in Kathie’s voice. “Besides, it was the 
truth, and I think we ought not to be ashamed of 
that. But — I believe I won’t go.” 


CINDERELLA. 


119 


Yes, you must ; Charlie would be awfully disap- 
pointed if you did n’t, and then he does n’t care half 
so much for fine things as you girls.” 

That was rather cruel. “ I ’m sure I would n’t 
care if the rest did n’t make fun of me ” ; and Kathie 
failed to choke off the sob this time. 

Eob was silent, for conscience gave him a hard 
pinch. He remembered how glad Kathie had been 
about his new clothes, and how pleased she always 
was to see him enjoy himself. And here he had 
talked crossly to her and had been angry when she 
was not at all at fault. 

Kathie,” his voice had a softened inflection, as if 
he was almost crying, and he slipped his arm around 
her waist very gently, — “ Kathie, I don’t seem to 
have much luck making war on my giants. I re- 
solved, when I was sick, that I would never be cross 
or rough to you again, and I ’ve been both. I ’m 
sorry. I wish you had the new clothes instead of 
me. I don’t deserve them anyhow.” 

“ 0 Eob dear, my dress is good and pretty, only 
I ’ve worn it for nice all winter, and I suppose it 
does n’t look real party-like. I ’m glad you came 
along just then, for it made the girls stop teasing 


me« 


120 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


"Lottie Thorne is a hateful little thing i I guess 
I would n’t he so ready to show her sums and all ! ” 
Kob returned, decisively. 

" That ’s giants, Eob.” 

" WeU, there’s no use in my trying to be good.” 

" Yes, it is best for us all to try. If we don’t suc- 
ceed, there is a good endeavor which shows that we 
thought about it.” 

" Dreadfully discouraging, though.” 

Kathie glanced up with her bright smile, yet some- 
thing like tears were still shining in her eyes. 

“ I believe you are the best little girl in the world, 
as Charlie Darrell says.” 

That was some comfort to Kathie. For the re- 
mainder of the afternoon Eob was quiet and helpful, 
and did not go out to play, but read stories to Freddy. 
When Kathie had gone to put him to bed after sup- 
per, Eob said, huskily, and in a rapid tone, as if he 
was afraid he should n’t get through in time. “ Moth- 
er, if I had given up my clothes could Kathie have 
had a new dress ? ” 

" You needed the clothes, Eob, even if you were 
not going to the party.” 

" But — I’m sorry about Kathie. The girls are all 
making such a row over their new dresses.” 


CINDERELLA. 


121 


There was a silence of a moment, half an hour it 
seemed to Eob, then he said, almost heart-broken, 
“ Don’t you care a bit, mother ? Did n’t you like 
to have pretty things when you were a little girl ? ” 

" Can you keep a secret, Eob ? ” Aunt Euth asked. 

O yes. What is it ? ” and he was all animation. 

Aunt Euth told him something in a very low tone, 
and if you could have seen his face ! It looked like 
an April sky after a shower. 

0, I ’m so glad ! It ’s just splendid ! If I could 
see it ! Could n’t I, mother, just a moment ? ” 

Mrs. Alston opened the parlor and unlocked a 
bureau-drawer. 

Hush, Eob,” she said, in a whisper, as he was 
beginning exclamations. 

“ But it ’s so beautiful ! I ’m just as happy now 
as I can be. I can hardly wait for to-morrow night.” 

“ But you ’re not to hint it. Aunt Euth made it 
nearly all to-day. We did n’t think of it until this 
morning.” 

They heard Kathie coming down stairs, so they 
shut up the drawer and went back. Eob studied his 
lessons industriously, but every once in a while a great 
bound of joy rushed over his heart, and he could 


122 


KATHIE’S THKEE WISHES. 


hardly help jumping up and hurrahing around the 
room. 

The next morning Mrs. Alston told Kathie to get 
ready early for school and she would buy her a new 
pair of shoes on the way, as she had several errands 
to do. 

''Mamma, I’ve decided not to go to the party,” 
Kathie said, bravely. 

" Why ? ” and her mother appeared much sur- 
prised. 

" Because I ’m afraid I should n’t feel real happy. 
All the girls are going to dress so much. They think 
because Charbe Darrell’s family are rich — ” 

"But you see rich and poor have been invited. 
Miss Jessie knew that we could not afford to dress 
very handsomely. I think she and Charlie would 
be a good deal disappointed, and Bob also.” 

" Mamma, it is real hard to be laughed at, even 
when you know that you are doing just right. We 
could n’t afford the dress, and I ’ve kept myself from 
wishing for it ; but yesterday the girls teased me, and 
I concluded that I would stay at home. I shall not 
mind. I ’d rather go on some Saturday, if Miss 
Jessie should ask me.” 


CINDERELLA. 


123 


Would n’t you do it to please me ? ” 

Mamma ! ” Kathie’s voice was very entreating. 

Mrs. Alston made no reply, and after a pause 
Kathie said, in a slow, quiet tone, “ Yes, mamma.” 

“Very well ; I think you will be happy. And here 
we are at the shoe-store.” 

To Kathie’s surprise her mother asked for bronzed 
boots. And there was the daintiest little pair that 
fitted her to a charm. 

I don’t need them quite so nice ; do I, mamma ? ” 

“Aunt Euth wanted you to have them as a gift 
from her.” 

“ Cinderella’s glass slippers almost,” she said, with a 
smile. 

Nobody teased Kathie that day, and everything 
went on smoothly. Eob stopped on the way home for 
his clothes and found them royal, but it was very 
hard work to keep his mother’s secret. They had an 
early supper, and then Aunt Euth curled Kathie’s 
golden hair in a lovely fashion. Next she tried on 
her pretty boots. 

“0, I feel as if I were Karen in the little red 
shoes, and could dance forever,” she said, gayly, mak- 
ing a lively pirouette around the room. 


124 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


“ Now Aunt Euth must be the fairy godmothei 
and touch you with her wand,” Eob exclaimed, laugh- 
ing, and when he was once fairly started he could n’t 
stop. He looked so mysterious and comical that 
Kathie said, “ What is the matter, Eob ? ” 

“ I can’t help it ” ; and there was a suppressed con- 
vulsion. 

Kathie viewed him in silent astonishment. Mrs. 
Alston left the room and presently returned with 
something that rustled, and she gave a quick turn. 

Now for the pumpkin and the mice ! ” and Eob 
couldn’t resist a shout on the war-whoop style. 

Aunt Euth held up the dress, but Kathie could not 
utter a word. 

« Why, you little goose, don’t you see what it is ? 
Not satin, but elegant blue silk ! You vnll be the 
queen of the ball ! ” 

Kathie’s eyes filled with tears. Children some- 
times cry from pure gladness. 

“ 0 mamma, is it for me ? Where did it come from ? 
Why, I think I am Cinderella.” 

“ I ’m going to tell you just where it came from, for 
we could not afford to buy anything so handsome and 
expensive. Aunt Euth had the dress when she was 


CINDERELLA. 


125 


a young girl, and the thought of it entered her mind a 
few days ago, so we concluded we would surprise you. 
Eob was let into the secret last night.” 

“Put it on quicks mother!” exclaimed Eob; “I 
want to see how she looks.” 

They had her dressed in a few moments, and Eob 
was recalled. He and Freddy went into ecstasies. 
She did look very lovely, for her cheeks were like 
roses, and the sweet expression of her face added a 
charm. 

“ There won’t be as pretty a girl in the room,” 
announced Eob, confidently. 

“ Hush, Eob. You must not make her vain.” 

“I don’t believe anything could spoil Kathie. 
She ’s the best and dearest little girl in the whole 
world 1 ” and Eob gave her a crushing hug. 

Then Freddy took his turn, which was smothering, 
but Kathie bore it with the utmost patience. 

“ I ’m so glad and so happy. Aunt Euth ! It seems 
just as if I was in fairy-land ! Why, I can’t believe 
it all. I ’m almost afraid that it will come back to 
my old delaine dress when the clock strikes twelve.” 

“ I guess not,” said Aunt Euth, smilingly. “ I think 
you deserved something nice. But now you must 


126 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


get your rubber boots and your cloak, for the time is 
going fast.” 

“ I think I can trust you to behave modestly, 
Kathie,” her mother said, with tender gravity. 

“ 0 mamma, I don’t feel a bit proud.” 

“For all you ’re handsome,” appended Eob. 

“ And dressed in blue silk,” shouted Fred. 

She kissed them all round and promised to bring 
Fred something nice. A very happy little girl was 
Kathie Alston, and Eob was delighted to the utter- 
most. She made him tell her how he came to find 
out about the dress, and her heart beat faster as she 
thought that he had cared so much. 

Your Highness is at the,palace gate,” announced 
Eob, with a great flourish. “ The king’s son for yon, 
CindereDa.” 


CHARLIE’S PARTY. 


127 


CHAPTER IX. 

Charlie’s party. 

The Darrell mansion was lighted up brilliantly. 
It seemed to Kathie quite like entering fairy-land. 
Some brackets had been hung in the spacious hall, 
and Miss Jessie had arranged flowers upon them, 
trailing vines that looked so pretty drooping against 
the wall. There was quite a number of guests in 
the parlor, Kathie saw as she passed through. The 
girls were taken to Miss Jessie’s room, and the boys 
to a spare chamber, as their host fancied they might 
like to beautify a little also. 

There was Miss Jessie bright and smiling in the 
simplest of white dresses, with a blue sash and a 
blue ribbon in her hair, and a cluster of geranium 
leaves at her throat. 

“ Kathie Alston ! ” she exclaimed, stooping to kiss 
her. Charlie began to wonder if you were coming.” 
Then she helped take off her cloak, and Kathie 
thought she looked a little surprised at her dress. 


128 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


It brought an uncomfortable flush to her cheek. 
Did Miss Jessie consider it too fine? 

Kathie gave her curls a shake, and they came out 
all right. Then she went down stairs in a great 
whirl of excitement, hardly knowing who she was, 
and made a pause at the parlor door. Charlie was 
standing there and a cousin of his, a young lady 
about Miss Jessie’s age, and she introduced the guests 
into the room. Now she said, “ Miss Kathie Alston.” 

It seemed as if everybody looked towards her at 
once. Kathie had never known anything so dreadful 
in all her life. This time she blushed crimson and 
wished she was in her old scarlet dress, with the easy 
home feeling she usually enjoyed. 

0 Kathie, how sweet you do look ! ” Charlie said, 
involuntarily. 

Kathie thought she was surely going to faint ; her 
head swam round, and the lights dazzled everywhere. 

“ 0 Kathie Alston,” exclaimed a familiar voice, 
“ where did you get that lovely dress ? And you 
said you were going to wear your scarlet delaine. 
You told a story about it!” 

Kathie was just ready to cry, and she wished from 
the bottom of her heart that she had worn her old one 


CHAKLIE’S PARTY. 


129 


“ I did n’t know anything about it until to-night/’ 
she said, in a choking voice. 

“ Was it a present ? ” 

“ Yes, from Aunt Euth, and my boots too.” 

Having thus confessed her sins, she glanced at 
Lottie Thorne in a most deprecating manner. ' Some 
one put an arm around her neck. It was Mary 
Cox, and the next instant she had kissed Kathie’s 
burning cheeks. 

“ You are the sweetest and loveliest girl in the 
whole room,” she exclaimed, in her warm, extravagant 
fashion. I ’d give a kingdom if my hair curled 
like yours.” For Mary’s hair was black and straight 
as an Indian’s. 

Kathie took refuge beside Mary, who was always 
talking and laughing. Then she ventured to look 
round at the other girls. Lottie wore a lavender and 
white checked silk, trimmed with pretty pendent 
gimp. Sophie Dorrance liad on her regular party 
dress, — pink tarlatan, ruffled, — and there seemed a 
perfect sea of bright, shimmering things. 

They were all a trifle awkward at first. Miss 
Jessie came down and started some play. They 
stood in a ring with her in the centre. She said, 


130 


KATIIIE’S THREE WISHES. 


“ Muldi Mustapha does so in the palace at Ispahan,” 
and put one arm in motion ; then another ; afterward 
one foot ; and then every head was nodded, and they 
all looked funny enough. Whenever a new thing 
was said, she repeated the whole sentence, and the 
catch in it was when she said merely and so,” 
without the rest. Presently she uttered and so.” 
Up and down went every head but hers, and then 
there was a general laugh. 

"Everybody will have to go in the ring,” ex- 
clairned Charlie. 

" I dl try it again,” she said, good-naturedly ; " but 
this time you must be sharp.” 

They all thought they would be, but half, at least, 
were caught. Of course there was another shout. 

There was a great deal of fun over it. Kathie 
forgot all about her dress, and began to be very 
happy. They played until nearly every one had 
been caught, then Miss Jessie went to the piano, and 
two of the boys sang a comic song. After that they 
were fairly in motion. They had a game of pawns 
until they collected a pile of forfeits, when they went 
to work to redeem them. The first belonged to Dick 
Grayson, and it was held over Kathie’s head. Dick 


CHARLIE'S PARTY. 


131 


was to “ stand in the well.” He called upon Kathie 
to help him out, and then she called Charlie. So 
they went on, enjoying their fun amazingly, — pillow 
and key, still quaker, consequences, and lots of laugh- 
able games. Indeed, there were two forfeits still re- 
maining when they were summoned to supper. 

Katliie had been everybody’s favorite. She was 
kissed for the prettiest numberless times, called out 
for all the plays, and in constant demand. Lottie 
thought it was her elegant dress, and began to envy 
her; but the truth lay in Kathie’s being so thoroughly 
sweet and ready to please. She quite forgot about 
herself, and those who are always trying to make 
others happy are generally happy themselves. 

Charlie took her out to supper. Dick Grayson 
made an imaginary attack upon him, and threatened 
to carry her off to some corner. Miss Jessie was at 
the head of the table, and Cousin Emily at the lower 
end. Very prettily arranged it was, with vases of 
flowers, and dishes of apples piled into pyramids, the 
little interstices filled with motto-papers ; cakes, 
candies, and cream for the lighter part, and sand- 
wiches for those who had played themselves hungry. 
There were Mr. and Mrs. Darrell and grandma, smih 


132 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


ing at the children’s merriment. Wliat a delight- 
ful time they were having ! Kathie laughed until it 
seemed as if she could hardly stand up. Everybody 
was so very good-natured and enjoyable. 

After supper Miss Jessie went to the piano, and 
the children had several quadrilles. It was twelve 
o’clock before any one thought about it ; then a 
number of the children were sent for, and the rest 
began to prepare for departure. The large family 
carriage was put in requisition, and quite a liost 
taken the first time, but Charlie begged Kob and 
Kathie to wait. 

“Have you enjoyed yourself? ” Miss Jessie asked, 
glancing into her smiling face. 

“ 0, so much ! Miss Jessie, I think it ’s such a 
nice thing to be rich. You can make so many 
people happy.” 

Kathie was so earnest that she could not help 
being equally frank. 

“And it is nice to be able to enjoy pleasure. 
Nothing satisfies a person so well as to know that 
his or her efforts liave been appreciated.” 

“ Then you ought to have a good deal of satisfac- 
tion,” said Rob, with a bright smile, “ for I don’t 


CHARLIE’S PARTY. 


133 


think there ever was such a splendid party, and 
there has n’t a single accident happened. It ’s been 
jolly all the way through ” ; then Rob blushed a little, 
and ended rather bashfully with, “ I ’m only a boy, 
Miss Jessie.” 

And I ’m used to boys’ compliments, though 
Charlie is not very lavish in that respect.” 

“ I don’t believe boys ever are,” said CharHe. 

'' They leave that for girls,” suggested Rob. 

“ How about that, Kathie ? ” asked Miss Jessie. 

“ I guess boys do not always say what they feel, 
but girls like to have everything nice and pleasant, 
and — ” Kathie made a long pause, coloring deeply. 

Express their gratification more freely,” said 
Miss Jessie, coming to her assistance. 

The carriage returned, and Kathie went for her 
wraps. I ’ve had such a lovely, lovely time,” she 
said again. “ I hope every one has been just as 
happy.” 

“ You have a large heart, Kathie. I am sure you 
deserve a great deal of good fortune. I hope you 
will get it some day.” 

“We ought to send Fred some candies,” Charlie 
said, as Kathie and his sister came down stairs. 


134 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


Kathie had been thinking of this, Init did not know 
exactly how to bring it about. 

^ I ’ll do up a parcel ” ; and in a few moments 
Miss Jessie had it ready, — to be given to Freddy 
with her love. 

“ And tell your Aunt Euth that I ’m coming the 
first pleasant day to take her out driving,” she con- 
tinued. 

Kathie thanked her with her bright eyes and 
sweetest smile. 

There were several in the carriage beside Eob and 
Kathie, and they talked of the party till one by one 
was dropped out, and last of all the Alston children. 

Mamma was sitting up and Aunt Euth Ijdng on 
the lounge. The one little lamp turned low looked 
oddly enough after the brilliance of the evening. 

And so Cinderella comes back to her chimney- 
corner,” she said, gayly, kissing them both. “ Dear 
godmother, I never was so happy in my life. But 
first I felt too grand in my dress. I had to forget 
about that.” 

I ’m so glad you had it I ” exclaimed Eob. “ I 
saw ever so many of the girls staring at it. I guess 
Lottie Thorne was surprised enough. She thinks 
herself so grand!” 


CHARLIE’S PARTY. 


135 


But she was real sweet to me,” said Kathie. 

“ Sweet ! I ’d like to know what there was to 
make her sour, unless she felt so because your dress 
was the handsomest. Mother, Kathie was the pret- 
tiest girl there, and up in all the plays. It was just 
royal ! I wish some one else would give a party. 
And now I ’m off for bed. Good night.” Eob 
made a very tremendous bow, nearly standing on 
his head. 

The next morning Freddy was delighted with his 
share of the feast. Kathie told him all she could 
remember, — how they had a menagerie, and every one 
could see just whatever animal he or she called for. 

But they did n’t have real lions and elephants, 
— did they ? ” asked Fred, with big eyes. 

“ It was a looking-glass in another room, and you 
were taken in there and shown yourself. So if you 
asked to see a monkey, as several of them did, it was 
rather funny.” 

What did you ask for, Eob ? ” 

O, I was let into the joke. Charlie and I were 
the porters, and kept the doors.” 

Then Kathie told about the other plays and all the 
amusing things that occurred. 


136 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


“The Darrells are not a bit proud,” Eob said, in 
a pleased and satisfied tone ; “ they never show off 
anything as if they thought it was so much better 
than what you had at home. You would surely be 
surprised.” 

“ A very foolish and ill-bred thing for any one to 
do,” said Mrs. Alston. 

“ Lottie Thorne ’s always at it. Last night she 
had to tell ball a dozen times at least what her 
mother had, making it out a little better than Mrs. 
Darrell’s.” 

“ But Lottie is real pleasant,” said Kathie, anxious 
to give her all her due. 

“ When you let her have her own way and listen 
to all her stories. Mother, I sometimes think Kathie 
has n’t a bit of spirit. Lottie plagues her and makes 
fun of her, and is real hateful, and then Kathie helps 
her out of the drag.” 

“ I should say Kathie had just the riglit kind of 
spirit,” Mrs. Alston replied. 

“ But she ’s always sorry when she has been 
cross.” 

“ So she says ; but I don’t believe it is true sor- 
row. She does the same thing right over again. 


CHARLIE’S PARTY. 


137 


And I hate people who brag and make such a fuss 
over their own things. Miss Jessie does n’t.” 

Miss Jessie is a lady, and that one can be, rich 
or poor,” Aunt Euth said. 

Miss Jessie fulfilled her promise a few days after 
this. The keen March winds had dried up the roads 
so that it was very good travelling. Aunt Euth 
had a long, pleasant ride. . It seemed quite like 
old times. 

And then one day she called upon a little busi- 
ness, when a sudden shower came up, and she had to 
«*• 

take off lier hat and wait awhile. 

“ Mamma,” Kathie said, in a whisper, “ could n’t 
we ask Miss Jessie to stay to tea ? We have a nice 
cake and some cold meat, and we could fix the table 
real prettily; and when Eob comes home he will 
be so pleased.” 

Eob was off playing, as usual ; yet since his sick- 
ness he liad made quite an improvement in many 
things. To his mother this was deeply gratif5dng. 
But Kathie was a comfort to her daily and hourly. 

« Why, yes,” she said, slowly ; then added, with 
a smile, “You don’t feel troubled about the old 
carpet now ? ” 


138 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


‘'Miss Jessie doesn’t mind; and when we give 
the best we can — ” 

“Those who love us accept the offering just as 
it is given.” 

So Kathie invited Miss Jessie. She smiled a 
little, and said, “That is hardly worth while; the 
shower will be over presently.” 

“ But I ’d like to have you so very much.” 

“ Would you ? ” 

The pleading eyes were most eloquent. 

“ Very well,” Miss Jessie said, with a sweet smile. 

Kathie left her to talk to Aunt Euth a few mo- 
ments while she went to mamma. 

“ If you would like to make some biscuits, Kathie, 
they will bake very quickly,” Mrs. Alston said. 

Kathie was delighted. Now and then she made 
biscuits and cake, and always had excellent luck. 

There was a small storeroom off of the kitchen, 
where they could work when the weather was not 
too cold. Kathie tied on a large apron, prepared all 
her materials, and in a short time had a panful of 
nice round biscuits that raised up like pound-cake. 
Then she helped her mother set the table. She 
could n’t but feel secretly glad that they had pretty 


CHARLIE’S PARTY. 


139 


China, and silver forks, and some nice napkins. Mrs. 
Alston had not thought it necessary to give up all 
the refinements of life simply because they had met 
with a reverse of fortune. She had endeavored to so 
train her children that they would behave properly 
in any society, and had been most particular that 
they should not be awkward or ill-bred at the table. 

“ Now, Kathie, you may go back to the parlor,” her 
mother said. “ I Ve just put the tea to draw, and 
Eob will be in soon.” 

Miss Jessie had been entertaining Freddy as well 
as Aunt Euth. Indeed, now she had him on her lap, 
telling him how the horse once ran aw^ay with her. 

“ But was n’t you afraid ?” asked Fred. “ I should 
think girls would always be.” 

Miss Jessie laughed merrily at this. 

'‘Not very much. We had a long straight road 
before us, and Hero was n’t vicious. Now we have 
a horse that no one but papa drives, and his name is 
Firefly.” 

“ 0,” exclaimed Fred, “ one day Charlie and I 
were horses, and we rode Kathie home on Charlie’s 
nice sled. My name was Firefly. I hope Santa 
Claus will bring me a sled next Christmas.” 


140 


KATHIE’S THKEE WISHES. 


What did he bring you last Christmas ? ” 

0, nothing much. Mamma said lie was very 
poor, but I think he went to your house first and 
left that pretty sled. And I wanted a drum, but he 
did n’t even leave that.” 

“ He must have had your place down last, then ; 1 
hope he will do better next time, and not wait until 
his bag is empty. What did you have, Kathie ? ” 

“A book of fairy-stories, and I like them so 
much.” 

They are n’t real true stories,” explained Fred. 

‘'But, Miss Jessie, some of them can be made true, 
and it is delightful to think of all the pleasant things 
in the wmrld, if you can’t have them.” 

“ That is the true secret of enjoyment, Kathie, and 
you are fortunate to have learned it so soon. You can 
enjoy a great deal that belongs to anotlier person 
almost as well as if it were yours, if you only have 
a happy, contented mind. Failing in that, no amount 
of pleasure or wealth will satisfy a person.” 

“ And the best of all is to be happy and to make 
others so,” Kathie said, thoughtfully. 

“ Have you been trying the last ? ” Miss Jessie 
asked, with a smile. 


CHARLIE’S PARTY. 


141 


“ Kathie is our little fairy,” Aunt Euth said, pass- 
ing her arm around the child’s neck. 

“ Then you turned the stories to some account ? ” 

“ 0 Miss Jessie, I can’t do much, but I thought 
I ’d try some Ettle things ” ; and Kathie colored. 

“ That word try is Eke a magic wand. It has 
assisted me a good many times. You always look so 
bright and cheerful that one would guess you had 
access to the fairy fountain.” 

Kob had come in, washed his face and brushed his 
hair, and now opened the parlor door. Supper was 
ready also, and he invited them out after he had 
spoken to Miss Jessie. 

They had a gay, social time. The party was 
talked over, and presently it came out about Kathie’s 
dress, that had happened just like a fairy-story. 
They were not afraid of Miss Jessie, but felt per- 
fectly at ease with her. She appeared to enjoy the 
surprise very much. 

Eob was sorry that CharEe was not present having 
a good visit with them. It still kept raining, and 
Miss Jessie thought that she had better go home 
before it grew any darker. Kathie proposed that she 
should put on- mamma’s waterproof, and Eob took 
the large umbrella. 


142 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


“ I Ve had such a nice time,” she said, in her soft, 
pleasant tone, ‘‘and I shall come again real soon 
But remember that you three children are to spend a 
Saturday with Charlie, and have a good long drive.” 

Fred was in ecstasies. Bob escorted Miss Jessie 
in a most gallant fashion, quite delighted with the 
honor. Kathie helped her mother wash the tea- 
dishes, and then she sat down in the corner in her 
little rocker. 

“ What makes you so quiet ? ” her mother asked, 
presently. 

“ Was I, mamma ? I was only thinking what a 
pleasant visit it had been, and how sweet Miss Jessie 
is. And it seems to me that I don’t mind being- 
poor half as much as I did a month ago. Some of 
the girls always make a great time over what they 
have at home, and talk of their new clothes. It 
makes me feel as if they considered it quite a benefit 
to me ; but Miss Jessie never does anything of the 
kind. I believe she would have been just as sweet 
if I had worn my scarlet dress to the party. And 
she is always so good, so much like Aunt Euth.” 

Aunt Euth smiled to hear herself thus praised. 

“Miss Jessie is a Christian lady,” Mrs. Alston 
replied. “ She tries to follow the Golden Eule.” 


CHARLIE’S PARTY. 


143 


I ’d like to be just such a young lady. Of 
course I 11 never be rich, but I can do a good 
many things for you and Aunt Euth and the boys. 
I want to be a comfort, so that you 11 always be 
glad you had a little girl called Kathie.” 

My darling, I give thanks every day of my life ” ; 
and her mother kissed her fondly. “I am truly 
pleased to have you satisfied with your station and 
your life, and to see you endeavor to look on the 
bright side of everything. If you cultivate this 
spirit, your life will be a round of enjoyment, even 
though toilsome. You are my bright little fairy.” 

No, the fairies did n’t all Eve in palaces. 


144 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


CH APTEE X. 
kathie’s prince. 

One bright May afternoon Kathie was playing 
with two school friends, Lucy and Annie Gardiner. 
Mrs. Alston preferred that she should run out of 
doors as much as possible, and she had given her 
permission to stop on the way home from school, and 
spend an hour with her companions. They were out 
on the green in front of Lucy’s house, playing “ tag,” 
and running like frolicsome kittens. 

A gentleman walked slowly by them, but they 
were so engrossed that they hardly noticed him. By 
and by he halted and took a step backward, pausing 
near Kathie. “ Can you tell me where Mrs. Alston 
lives ? ” he asked. 

Kathie opened her eyes quite wide, then, remem- 
bering that it was not polite to stare, said, 
pleasantly, “ 0 yes, only it is n’t a very straight way 
fi’om here. I ’ll show you.” 

“ You can’t go home, Kathie,” exclaimed Annie, 


KATHIE’S PRINCE. 


145 


with apprehension. You have n’t been here half 
an hour yet.” 

'"I ’ll just run to the corner and back” ; so she 
turned to the stranger, who was a. little in advance. 

“ There are several little houses just alike, — Cot- 
tage Eow, it ’s called. You go down this street two 
blocks, then you turn to the right and keep on until 
you come to an old stone house, and from there you 
can see them. The third one is — ” mamma’s, she 
was going to say, but she felt a little strange and 
substituted — ‘‘ Mrs. Alston’s.” 

“ Thank you ; I guess I ’ll find it. Is this Mrs. 
Alston a widow ? ” 

“ Yes,” Kathie replied, wonderingly, and then she 
watched him as he turned the corner. A kind of 
foreign-looking gentleman, very dark, and with a great 
beard; but now that she thought of it, it almost 
seemed as if she had seen him somewhere before. 

“ Kathie ! ” called Lucy. Don’t let him kidnap 
you. He looks like a — a — ” 

“ What ? ” and Kathie laughed. 

Pirate, I guess.” 

0 Lucy ! He ’s quite liandsome.” 

Well, then he ’s a Hungarian refugee, or a Pole. 

7 


j 


146 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


The Poles are sometimes banished from their homes, 
you know. Never mind him. Let ’s play again. 
You were it, Kathie.” 

They started off on another race, and yet Kathie 
found herself wondering if the man was a stranger, 
and if he had been banished to a far land. He 
looked sad and troubled, but what could he want with 
mamma ? Yet the thought did not long disturb her 
fun. The girls all loved to play with Kathie, she 
was so good-natured. 

By and by she ran in the house to see how late it 
was, although Lucy protested she had n’t been there 
an hour. 

" Yes, and five minutes over ; I must surely go.” 

"Just let us have one more good run,” pleaded 
Annie. 

" If you ’ll run down to the corner with me.” 

" I hope you will be as prompt and obedient when 
you go anywhere,” Mrs. Gardiner said to her little 
girls. "Kathie, tell your mother that we shall 
have an abundance of strawberries, and some day 
she must send you over to pick a good pailful.” 

" Thank you/’ Kathie answered, with a delighted 
smile. 


KATHIE’S PRINCE. 


147 


The girls went to the corner and kissed her many 
times, just as if they were not going to see her at 
school the next morning. 

As she neared the cottage she felt quite curious to 
know what the gentleman could have wanted with 
her mother. All she could think of was some sew- 
ing. In spite of the misfortune of Eob’s sickness, 
they were going to have a new parlor carpet ; Kathie 
had earned a little money toward it herself. She had 
hemmed a dozen handkerchiefs for Mr. Darrell, who 
had insisted upon paying her very liberally, and then 
she had crocheted some edging. Only the day before 
she had persuaded her mother to go to the store and 
look at a very pretty one. So witli the carpet, the 
stranger, and some sewing quite mixed up in her 
brain, she ran through the little dooryard, entered 
the kitchen, but heard voices beyond in the parlor. 

“ Kathie ! ” her mother said. 

She threw off her hat and entered the room shyly. 
There sat the stranger with his arm around Aunt 
Euth, and her face quite hidden on his shoulder. 
Her mother had been crying, and in a moment Kathie 
was full of anxious fear. 

“ This is my little Kathie,” Mrs. Alston exclaimed, 
her voice still tremulous. 


148 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


What had happened ? What business had this 
stranger here making mamma unhappy ? 

“ 0, I saw her before ; she directed me. Kathie, 
I 11 give you three guesses to tell who I am.” 

That merry, mischievous twinkle in his eye was 
just like hob’s. 0, it could n’t be ! 

“ Not Uncle llobert 1 ” she said, with a cry. 

Aunt Euth raised her face, still wet with tears, 
but it looked very happy. 

“ Come and kiss me, Kathie ; I wanted to take you 
up in my arms out there in the street. Uncle Eob- 
ert, to be sure ! ” 

Kathie glanced from one to the other. Was it 
really the truth? She had fancied Uncle Eobert 
coming home, but to have him actually here ! 

The strong arms drew her down to his breast, and 
the sweet little face was covered with kisses. 

“ Why, Kathie,” he began, “ Aunt Euth was sure 
that you expected me.” 

“ But — we all thought — you were dead.” 

“ You find that I am not. Alive and well, and 
glad enough to see you all, tliough for years and 
years I ’ve thought you dead. I wonder I did n’t 
guess when I looked at your face. Aunt Euth used 
to have golden curls.” 


KATHIE’S PRINCE. 


149 


0 Aunt Euth ! Mamma ! are n’t you glad ? Is 
it really Uncle Eobert ? and will you stay with 
us always ? ” 

“Always, I hope, while God spares me.” 

“ Why, I can’t believe it at all ; and it seemed to 
me that Uncle Eobert would be quite old, — some- 
thing like Mr. Darrell.” 

“Well, there are some white threads in my hair, 
and a few white whiskers, but I am not very ancient. 
I don’t seem to remember much about the ark, and 
can’t boast of an acquaintance with Noah.” 

That made Kathie laugh. “0 mamma, are you 
real glad ? You look so grave and — as if it could 
n’t be quite true. Why, I want to jump up and 
down, and shout as loud as I can, ‘Uncle Eob ’s 
come home ! ’ ” 

Uncle Eob laughed then. Yes, his eyes were like 
Brother Eob’s, only merrier, and with a soft, tender 
expression. 

Mrs. Alston smiled, but the tears came in her eyes 
again ; and Kathie understood then just how she felt, 

• — that her heart was so full she could n’t speak. 

“ You did n’t know me. Uncle Eobert ? ” Kathie 
went on ; “ and I never thought — 0, was n’t it 


150 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


queer that you should have asked me, and that t 
should have directed you ? I kept wondering what 
you could want with mamma. And Lucy Gardiner 
said maybe you were a Hungarian refugee, and was 
afraid you would kidnap me ! ” 

''I did have half a mind to. Of course I never 
supposed that it was my own little niece Kathie ; but 
I took a good look at your sweet face. I was so 
anxious to find you all, and it seemed as if I never 
should. I had called on several wrong Mrs. Alstons.” 

“ Was n’t that funny ? When did you come 
home. Uncle Eobert ? Have you told mamma and 
Aunt Euth everything ? 0, won’t Eob be deEghted ? 

But where have you been all these years when we 
all thought you dead ? ” 

“ It ’s a long story, my little Kathie. I reached 
New York three weeks ago, after having been round 
the world.” 

“ But why did n’t you write ? ” 

“ I have written many times. It is so strange 
that no letter ever reached you, for I sent several 
to different friends. I ’ve been away over ten years, 
and yet the time appears very short to me. I ’m so 
glad to get back to you.” 


KATHIE’S PRINCE. 


151 


He kissed Aunt Euth again fondly. “My dear 
sisters,” he said, “ how you have waited and suffered ! 
My whole life shall be devoted to making amends for 
these years of absence.” 

There was a noisy raid at the kitchen door, and 
voices in high discussion. Mrs. Alston rose and 
went out. 

“ Might n’t he let me have his top a teeny little 
while, mamma ? ” 

“ You don’t know how to spin it, Fred ; what ’s the 
use ? ” 

“ Hush, children. Freddy, wash your hands and 
face. There ’s a great stranger in the parlor. O 
Eob ! ” Mrs. Alston’s voice quivered, and her eyes 
filled again. 

“ Dear mother,” and Eob’s arms were around her 
neck, “ what has happened ? I’m sure we were poor 
enough, and have had our share of misfortunes — ” 

“ It ’s a wonderful joy, Eob. It has quite un- 
settled my nerves.” 

Eob kissed her and winked away a tear. Of late 
he had learned to love her better, and care for all her 
little anxieties. “ Well, if it ’s joy, I think I can 
stand it. But I don’t know of any one — 


152 


KATHIE’S THREP: WISHES. 


“ It is dear Uncle Eobert, whom we all thought 
dead.” 

“ Uncle Eobert ! Hurrah ! Eeally and truly, 
mother ? Where is he, — in the other room ? ” and 
Eob made a dash, then stopped suddenly. 

Uncle Eobert came out. “ Here is the one I 
remember ; but he has changed, it must be confessed, 
from the wee baby with whom I used to frolic. 
Eobert, my namesake, your mother ought to be 
proud of such a fine, manly boy.” 

Eob was seized with an unaccountable fit of shy- 
ness. This handsome great fellow, still young 
enough to be a boon companion in many things, was 
his own uncle! He felt as if he had suddenly 
discovered a treasure. 

“ Me too, Uncle Eobert,” said Fred, rushing in 
with a sublime disregard of grammar and a scorn of 
common introductions. 

“ He recalls poor Fred,” said Uncle Eobert, taking 
him in his arms. “Dora, if the struggle has been 
hard, you have a nice family, and I ’m thankful they 
are all alive. While I live they shall liave a father’s 
care.” 

Kathie came too. “ 0 Eob,” she exclaimed, “ I 


KATHIE'S PRINCE. 


153 


can't make uncle seem a bit real. Does n’t it sound 
like — like — ” 

“ A fairy-story. Now, Kathie, here ’s a real live 
one. He ’s been in some enchanted palace seven 
years !” 

“ And I was playing with Lucy and Annie Gardi- 
ner when he came along, and he asked me the 
way.” 

“ Then I suppose he is your prince.” 

‘‘That ’s just it,” said Uncle Eob. “ She looked 
like a fairy out there on the hill, and she is to be 
mine. I ’ll build a castle for her — ” 

“ And take me too,” exclaimed Fred, enforcing his 
request with a thrust from his heel. 

“ 0 Freddy, don’t be so rough,” entreated Kathie. 
“ Uncle Eob, if you take me, all the rest will have 
to go.” 

“ Are you everybody’s good fairy ? ” 

“ Mine especially,” said her happy mother, passing 
her hand over Kathie’s shoulder. 

“ But, uncle,” began Eob, “ where have you been 
all these years ? You must have travelled a good 
deal.” 

“I ’ve been half over the world, shipwrecked, 

7 * 


154 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


murdered, taken prisoner, run away, hunted elephants 
in India, lions in Africa, dug gold in Australia — ” 

“ 0 Uncle Eob 1 Mother, I want dreadfully to say 
' bully ’ for this once ! And you 11 tell me all 
about it ? ” V 

“ Let Uncle Eohert get his breath. Don’t eat him 
quite up,” said their mother. 

“ I should be doubly unfortunate if, escaping all 
those dangers, I fall into the hands of cannibals 
now”; and Uncle Koh laughed as he kissed them 
all round. 

“ Kathie, we must he preparing some supper,” Mrs. 
Alston remarked. 

“We ’ll go entertain Aunt Euth in the mean 
while ” ; and Uncle Eob marshalled the boys off to 
the parlor. It seemed as if everybody talked at once. 

“We ought to have sometliing real nice,” Kathie 
said, reflectively. “ I ’ll make some biscuits.” 

“ If you will run to the store I ’ll attend to that.” 

Kathie found the basket, listened to her mother’s 
orders, and ran off cheerfully. Yet it was real hard 
to leave Uncle Eob, and she felt almost afraid that 
when she returned she would find it a dream. Just 
at the store door Miss Jessie passed her. 


KATHIE’S PRINCE. 


155 


“ Are they all well at home ? ” she asked. “ Why, 
you look bright as a rose.” 

“ 0 Miss Jessie, our Uncle Eobert that I once 
told you about has come back.” 

“ Why, I thought he was dead ! ” and Miss Jessie 
looked puzzled. 

But he is n’t. He 's come back alive and well 
and handsome, and I know you ’ll like him. He is 
going to stay with us always. It ’s just splen- 
did ! ” 

“ Indeed it is,” returned Miss Jessie, “ and I wish 
you joy.” 

Kathie hurried home, and in a little while the 
supper-table was ready. 

Mamma,” she said, with the last touch, “ if we 
are poor, I think we are the happiest people alive.” 

Her mother smiled a little oddly at this. 

Uncle Eobert had already told the boys about an 
elephant-hunt where two poor natives were killed. 
They pitied them, to be sure, but concluded that it 
made the story more interesting. 

“ But what I want to know most,” said Kathie, 
is how Uncle Eobert kept alive all the time, and 
came back at last?” 


156 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


We will have a good talk after supper. It does 
seem strange. I can hardly realize it. To find you 
after so many years ! ” 

Aunt Kuth and Mrs. Alston forgot how long and 
wearisome they had been. The future had brightened 
so much in a few hours. 

They had a gay time at the supper- table. Uncle . 
Kob was very entertaining and amusing. Kathie 
stole shy glances at him, and received a bright smile 
in return. Aunt Euth looked so pretty with a faint 
flush on her cheek and a tender light coming and 
going in her soft eyes. 

At last they were settled in the parlor, — Uncle 
Eobert on the sofa with Aunt Euth on one side, and 
Kathie on the other, and Fred on his knee. Eob 
brought a low chair as close as "he could get it, and 
leaned his arm on his mother’s lap. 

Uncle Eob’s story was a long one. Most of it had 
been told over in the afternoon, but there would al- 
ways be freshly remembered incidents. He had left 
Bombay for a trip to J ava, but deciding not to return, 
had sent for his letters. In some way they had 
missed him and been lost. He had waited awhile 
before writing, and then gone on a new tour to the 


KATHIE’S PRINCE. 


157 


adjacent islands, where he and his party had been 
taken prisoners by a hostile tribe. Closely guarded 
as they were, escape proved almost impossible. He 
was seized with a fever and was ill for a long while, 
indeed, left to perish at last ; but Nature proved a 
skilful physician. After he began to improve he met 
with an opportunity to go to Africa, and, thankful for 
any relief, he accepted at once. At the first availa- 
ble port he despatched a letter homeward, stating liis 
intention of joining a company of explorers. Mrs. 
Alston having left the city, this also went astray. 
Having no knowledge of that fact he was quite easy 
in his mind, although it was a long while before he 
met with a chance to send again. Three years he 
spent in Africa, when he returned once more to 
India. No tidings there, and then he began to feel 
alarmed. He could hardly decide whether to go 
home at once or remain and try his fate a little 
longer. Then he resolved to go to Australia and 
make a fortune, and after that was achieved to come 
home and settle for life, unless those he loved were 
no longer living. 

Here Uncle Eobert paused a moment. 

“ And was there any chance to make a fortune ? ” 


158 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


Kob uttered this in a slow, grave tone, and glanced 
up doubtfully. 

“ 0,” exclaimed Fred, “ have you lots of money ? ” 

“ How much do you call lots ? ” 

" Well,” said Freddy, meditatively, if you have a 
good deal, I ’d like to have a stunner of a present 
next Christmas.” 

Fred ! ” his mother exclaimed, in surprise. 

Uncle Kobert laughed. What do you call a stun- 
ner, Freddy ? ” he asked. 

I ’d like to have a sled bigger and handsomer 
than Charley Darrell’s. Would n’t I make her go 
downhill!” 

Kathie’s eyes suddenly grew large and luminous. 
She was glad to have Uncle Eobert just for himself, 
but what if he had come home rich ? Every pulse 
gave a quick throb. 

“ Well, Eobbie, what would you have done,- — stayed 
and made a fortune ? ” asked his uncle. 

Would n’t I, though ! Just give me a chance to 
dig gold! A pocketful of rocks wouldn’t be any- 
thing. What did you do ? ” 

Kathie leaned over breathlessly. Did such won- 
derful things ever happen to any one ? 


KATHIE’S PRINCE. 


159 


“ I made the fortune. It was difficult work, and 
I do not know as money would ever tempt me to 
undergo such hardships again; hut it is over now, 
and I’m thankful that I have something to share 
with you all.” 

“ Hurrah ! ” shouted Eob ; “ Kathie, here ’s your 
prince, sure enough ! ” 

“ Was that what Kathie expected ?” 

“ She ’s death on fairy-stories, and this comes out 
exactly like one.” 

Uncle Eobert turned her face around so that he 
could look into the eyes now downcast. 

“ And you wished for a fortune ? What would you 
do with it, Kathie ? ” 

“O Uncle Eobert, I never thought much about 
that, at least, not having it myself. I wanted to be a 
fairy and make everybody happy ; but I ’ve been learn- 
ing that there are a great many pleasant and good 
things besides money, though that is very nice. 
And we should be glad to have 'you even if you 
were — ever so poor.” 

“My little darling, I am thankful for all your 
sakes that I can make the rest of life very delight- 
ful and happy. I think those who are cheerful and 


160 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


content in poverty will find much to enjoy in a 
wider sphere. And I ’ll promise to be your prince, 
Kathie.” 

She smiled tenderly. 

“ This is better than the party, — is n’t it ? ” said 
Eob; “and I thought that splendid!” 

“ Wliat about it ? ” asked Uncle Eobert. 

Kathie colored and laughed, but was not very ready 
in answering. 

“ O, I ’ll tell you,” Eob began in great earnestness. 
“We have been poor all our lives, to be sure. If 
papa had lived it would have been different with us. 
I don’t know as I ’ve cared much about it, for I have 
managed to enjoy pretty good times, only now and 
then — ” 

Eob made so long a pause that his uncle said, 
“ The party was your text. Don’t let it get astray 
from your sermon.” 

“ 0 yes ! ” and Eob laughed. Then he went on 
quite graphically, describing his own delight at the 
promise of a new suit of clothes, and his sorrow, when 
he came to think of it, that Kathie must go without ; 
last ol all the surprise. 

Eobert gave Kathie a hug. “That does 


KATHIE’S PRINCE. 


161 


sound wonderfully fairy-like,” he said. “ I remember 
the blue silk dress, for I took Aunt Eutli to a party 
the first time she wore it. I ’m glad so nice a thing 
happened to you, my little girl. Did you feel very 
grand ? ” 

“ 0 no ; I almost wished for my old scarlet dress, 
and then I played until I forgot aU about it. We 
had such a lovely time. Mamma, I met Miss Jessie 
by the store and told her the good news. Uncle 
Eobert, I want you to see Miss Jessie. She is the 
sweetest young lady in the world.” 

“ And they Ve such lots of things, — a parrot that 
can say real words, just as funny as he can be. 0 
Uncle Eobert, could you get me a parrot ? ” 

Fred had been so quiet that tliey aU thought him 
asleep, and they laughed at his sudden outburst. 

“ I guess we can find a parrot. Kathie, what will 
you have ? ” 

" I don ’t know,” she answered, slowly. I ’m 
afraid I shall want too many things.” 

“ If uncle will give us three wishes,” said Eob. 

‘‘ Well, begin. Let us see what they are. Fred 
wants a sled and a parrot. What else ? You can 
have one more wish, Freddy.” 


162 


KATHIE’S THKEE WISHES. 


“ Can I have a pair of skates ? I think I ’m big 
enough.” 

“ Why, Fred, you are laying in a stock for next 
winter,” said his uncle, gayly. 

“ But I can have the parrot on rainy days, when I 
have to stay in the house.” 

“ Down in the cellar or up in the garret,” laughed 
Bob. “You make so much noise that the addition 
of a parrot close by one ’s ears might n’t always be 
agreeable. Or perhaps we can build you both a coop 
out in the garden.” 

“And could n’t I take my dinner there, mamma, 
and live ? Would n’t it be fun ? ” 

“ Now, Bob, let us hear yours ! ” 

“ Three yards of black pudding — ” 

“ Fast of your nose,” appended Kathie, merrily. 

“ Don’t interrupt me now, Kathie. It ’s serious 
business, and I must consider. First of all, I ’d like 
a beauty of a sail-boat.^ There ’s such a lovely river 
here, Uncle Bobert.” 

“ Then you ’ll have to engage me as captain, and I 
shall ask a large salary.” 

“ But could n’t you teach me to manage a boat ? ” 

“ In the course of time. What else ? ” 


KATHIE’S PRINCE. 


163 


A real fine, handsome horse. But 0 dear, only 
one more ! ” and Eob made a comical gesture of de- 
spair. Uncle, the purse of Fortunatus.” 

‘^0 Eob, that will break me. I can’t promise 
about that last. Kathie, it ’s your turn.” 

The child was silent some moments, then she said, 
slowly, I don’t know as you can give me what I 
would most like.” She put her arms up suddenly 
and drew Uncle Eobert’s head nearer in range of her 
voice and whispered something in his ear. 

" O, I heard, — a blue silk dress for Aunt Euth, 
’cause she gave hers to Kathie ! ” shouted Fred. 

“ A miss that time, Freddy ” ; and a sweet serious- 
ness came over Uncle Eobert’s face. I don’t know, 
Kathie ; you are a darling little girl to think of it 
first. That must be our secret, and we wiU talk it 
over to-morrow. Now another.” 

Eob looked as if he was trying to divine his sister’s 
wish, but his uncle’s face did not afford him the 
slightest clew. 

“ I ’d like to have a pretty little cottage. Uncle 
Eobert, if it would n’t cost too much, and a lawn in 
front with beautiful flowers and trees.” 

“ We might compass that.” 


164 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


And a servant for mamma, so she will not have 
to work so hard.” 

“ N’othing for yourself, Kathie ? ” 

Why, it ’s all for me,” answered Kathie, in a sur^ 
prised tone. 

Uncle Robert kissed her. "You are a dear, gen- 
erous little girl,” he said, with deep feeling. 

" And it ’s past eleven o’clock, so we must all go to 
bed,” announced Mrs. Alston. “ The rest will keep 
until to-morrow.” 

There was a protest against this, but Uncle Robert 
overruled it. Then the children made an onslaught 
upon him and kissed him nearly to pieces, he said. 

" I am almost afraid to go to sleep, lest our castle 
tumbles down and Uncle Rob disappears,” Kathie 
said, as she nodded her golden-crowned head at the 
door. 


THE PURSE OF FORTUNATUS. 


165 


CHAPTER XI. 

THE PURSE OF FORTUNATUS. 

Kathie knelt a long while at the side of her little 
bed, for she had such a great number of mercies to 
acknowledge. Uncle Robert would have smiled if 
he had heard the last clause, — that she might find 
everything true to-morrow morning. She was so 
happy and so excited that she could hardly go to 
sleep. How good and kind God had been to her, 
and to them all ! 

It seemed to Kathie that she had had just one 
little nap when she opened her eyes and found the 
sun shining. Mrs. Alston was hardly dressed. 

“ O mamma, is it true that Uncle Robert came 
home ? ” 

“ Quite true, dear. And now if you will get up, 
for I have overslept myself.” 

Kathie was out of bed in a twinkling. She looked 
so merry and happy that Aunt Ruth fairly laughed. 

“ I do feel as if I could n’t hardly stay in my 


166 


KAl'HIE’S THREE WISHES. 


skin,” she said, gayly. It ’s so odd and strange, 
auntie. I do really believe in fairies.” 

Kathie ran down stairs to wait upon her mother a 
little, then she came back and helped Aunt Euth 
dress. By that time Uncle Eobert’s voice was heard, 
and he carried Aunt Euth down in his strong arms. 

'"We did n’t hear haE last night,” Eob began ; 
“ I ’ve been wondering how you came home from 
Australia and found us out at last.” 

“We will have many a long talk about that, Eob,” 
said his uncle. “ I came to the conclusion, while I 
was in Australia, that you were all very happy and 
had forgotten about me. Now and then I used to 
write, always directing my letters to New York. 
When I was tired of Australia and satisfied with 
what I had made, I went to London. Putting my 
affairs in a good shape there, I decided to take a little 
trip through Germany and France. At Paris I met 
an old friend and learned for the first time that your 
papa was dead. This gentleman could tell me 
nothing more than that the family had gone to 
some country place; so I hurried back to London, 
and started at once for America.” 

“ O Uncle Eobert, Europe must be splendid ! I 
wish I could go some time.” 


THE PURSE OF FORTUNATUS. 


167 


“Wish the fourth,” said his uncle, laughing; “yet 
it may all be possible.” 

“ And when you reached New York how did you 
find Brookside ? ” asked Kathie. 

“ I started first to find where you had gone. Your 
papa’s partner was dead also, and his family had 
removed to the South. I made inquiries everywhere 
among old friends, but no one could tell anything 
about you.” 

“ I think we were wrong in dropping all our old 
friends,” Mrs. Alston remarked; “but I felt so 
utterly disheartened, and found so much to do, that 
I neglected to correspond with any one. And I 
suppose most of our acquaintances had their own 
cares and interests, and so we faded from their 
minds.” 

The oddest part of the search was, that I found 
two Mrs. Frederick Alstons, — one living out on Long 
Island, and one in Connecticut. Then a lawyer 
friend, to whom I applied, searched the record and 
found the name of the town in which your mother 
had bought a little property, sold by Mr. Colder. I 
felt sure that time of being right, and came hither 
directly. At the hotel I made some more inqui- 


168 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


ries ; and once on the way, when I met a little 
fairy — ” 

Kathie smiled at this. 

“So I took your mamma and Aunt Euth quite 
by surprise. 

“ Did they know you ? ” asked Eob. 

“ Aunt Euth guessed first.” 

“ I remembered his eyes and his voice,” said 
Aunt Euth ; “ but the rest of his face has changed 
altogether.” 

“And I remember his eyes,” said Fred, anxious 
to be heard on the subject. 

Eob laughed heartily at this. “Does n’t your 
memory date back to the flood, Freddy ? I ’ve 
observed that it is n’t so good about more recent 
occurrences.” 

Freddy looked rather cross at this. 

It was decided after breakfast that Kathie might 
stay at home, as Uncle Eob desired it very much. 

“ You ’ll miss some fun,” said Eob ; “ I mean to 
tell all the boys. 0, won’t Lottie ‘Thorne make big 
eyes ? I ’ll say that Uncle Eobert is as rich as a 
Jew. I feel pretty sure that I ’ll have my boat.” 

“ Charlie will be so glad,” said Kathie, thoughtfully. 


THE PURSE OF FORTUNATUS. 


169 


Uncle Eobert spent most of the morning talking 
with Aunt lluth in the parlor. Kathie assisted her 
mother cheerfully, though she could hardly bear 
to go out of his sight. 

O mamma,” she said, “ how very happy we shall 
be ! It is nice to have plenty of money.” 

“ And as generous a heart as Uncle Kobert pos- 
sesses.” 

That was the great thing, after all ; and Kathie 
hoped she would never be selfish or proud, no mat- 
ter how much might come to her in the way of good 
fortune. 

Uncle Eobert asked her to take a walk with 
him presently, and she started off in a most delighted 
fashion. 

“ Now, Kathie, about the wish. Poor Aunt 
Euth — ” 

“ If she only could be cured ! People are some- 
times.” 

“I think she can be helped very much. She 
has not been in circumstances to have very good 
medical advice. Some day she and you and I will 
take a trip to New York, and learn what can be 
done.” 


8 


170 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


“Uncle Kobert — ” Then Kathie made a long 
pause. 

“ Well, my dear ? ” 

“ I ’d like to know ” — and the color deepened in 
her face — “ how much money we could spend ? I 
don’t want to be extravagant, — and we can be very 
happy with a little more.” 

“ I think we can count on the purse of Fortunatus 
in a moderate way. I ’ll promise to keep a piece of 
gold in yours always. We ’ll have a new house any- 
where you choose, and a servant as soon as we can 
find one. I wish we could do it this morning.” 

“ 0 Uncle Kobert ! ” 

“ My little girl, I mean to make you all as happy 
as possible. You are such a wise, prudent little body 
that I can trust you with this wonderful purse, and 
I ’ll be your prince to come and go at your bid- 
ding.” 

Katliie gave his arm a hug and glanced at him 
with eyes that looked the brighter for their tears. 

“ To have a pretty house, and if Aunt Kuth could 
be cured ! Uncle Robert, it must be such a comfort 
to make people happy.” 

“ Have n’t you tried it on a small scale ? ” 


THE PURSE OF FORTUNATUS. 


171 


Kathie blushed. “ But it has been such a very 
little.” 

“ I have observed that the people who have a 
desire to do a little under difficulties generally man- 
age to keep their kind heart in prosperity. Kiches 
bring us new cares, and we should strive for pure 
motives, also to be kept from too much pride and 
vainglory. No amount of fine and beautiful things 
do us any good if our hearts are not right.” 

‘‘That is just what Miss Jessie says. Uncle 
Eobert.” 

“I shall begin to be jealous of Miss Jessie.” 

“ And that will not be right. Miss Jessie was so 
good to us while we were poor, and visited us, and — 
You must love her. Mamma and Aunt Euth do.” 

Uncle Eobert laughed. 

“ Somehow I can’t believe it at all,” Kathie went 
on, after several moments’ seriousness. “ I was just 
becoming content with poverty, and learning what to 
do for mamma. Not but what I am very glad and 
thankful, still I seem a little afraid, as if it was only 
a dream.” 

“ You need not have any doubts, Kathie. If you 
should grow up to womanhood as sweet and simple 


172 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


as you are now, you will be able to do a great deal 
of good and make many people happy.” 

Katliie studied Uncle Eobert’s face for some time, 
then she said, gravely, “ Do you always think of the 
good, uncle ? ” 

I am trying now, Kathie. There was a time 
when I sought my own pleasure without reference to 
any other object, but I trust it will never be so 
again.” 

And what made you think first ? ” 

“ I was very sick once in Australia, and all alone. 
It ’s a hard place when one is not well enough to 
rough it through, for there every man cares for him- 
self, and never minds his neighbor. I thought I 
should die, and then I wanted God ; so like the 
Psalmist I cried unto him day and night.” 

“ And then — ” There was a sweet, grave light in 
the child’s eyes. 

“ Something very curious happened to me. An old 
miner, a man who had been an English convict, found 
me one day and nursed me back to life. It seemed 
to me just as if God sent him. And though he 
was n’t what some people would call religious, there 
>vas an earnest, simple clinging to the light, an un- 


THE PURSE OF FORT UNA PUS. 


173 


usual sense of honor and honesty. Well, I recovered, 
and took the man in my employ. About a year after 
that he died, and in ministering to him I learned 
another lesson that I hope I shall never forget.” 

What, Uncle Kobert ? ” 

'‘Doing the good that comes right in one’s way. 
Our Saviour must have meant this when he said, ' The 
poor ye liave always with you.’ So it is not worth 
while to look very far for work. But I think you 
have managed to find it as well, and I am glad that 
you have been such a comfort.” 

Kathie did not' reply immediately. Uncle Eohert 
saw that she was revolving some grave subject in her 
mind, and presently asked her what it was. 

She smiled a little. " I wonder,” she said, “ if it is 
easy for people to be good ? ” 

“ What has been your experience on the subject ? ” 
" O Uncle Eohert, I’ve had to try very hard some- 
times when it almost seemed as if I did ’nt want to. 
I used to stay and play with the children after school, 
and though it appeared only a few moments to me, it 
was a great deal longer, and mamma wanted me at 
home. But some of the girls thought it was mean, 
and one day Charlie Darrell asked me why I was so 
queer ? ” ^ 


174 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


Did you tell him ? ” 

No, Uncle Eobert ; it does n’t seem right to talk 
much about those things.” 

“ The best example, Kathie, is a quiet one. J ust as 
soon as we begin to parade our good deeds before the 
world they become a snare. I know it is hard not to 
be appreciated, but this comes in time. There ’s a 
higher reward than being seen of men.” 

Kathie gave Uncle Eob’s hand a little squeeze. 

And now, Kathie, we will have a little talk about 
the new house. Do you like Brookside, or would you 
rather go to some other place ? I believe I have a 
great fancy for a little country town, and it does n’t 
make any difference to mamma and Aunt Euth, 
except that I think Aunt Euth’s health would be 
better in the country.” 

O, I don’t want to go away,” Kathie said, with 
a gasp. “I like all the girls so much, and Miss 
Jessie — ” 

“ Then let us take a walk among the pretty places. 
I thought I saw some yesterday.” 

Mr. Grayson lives in the nicest part of the town, 
I think, but — ’■ 

But what ? ” 


THE PURSE OF FORTUNATUS. 


175 


“They ’re very handsome,” said Kathie, slowly, 
“with lawns and barns and carriage-houses.” Then 
she glanced up at Uncle Eobert, doubtfully. 

“And cost a great deal of money, — was that 
what you were about to say ? ” 

Kathie smiled and colored. 

“We will take a look at them, at all events. I 
expect you to grow up a young lady in this house, 
and I want it pretty and comfortable, with a good 
deal of room.” 

Kathie walked slowly along, revolving these things 
in her mind. She had thought only of moderate 
wealth, but such grandeur startled her a little. So 
she grasped Uncle Eobert’s hand tighter, until he 
looked down into the perplexed little face. 

“ What ’s the trouble now ? ” he asked, cheerily. 

“ Not exactly trouble. Uncle Eobert, I think you 
are very generous to come back and spend so much 
on mamma and the rest of us.” 

“ If your father had lived, Kathie, it is not 
probable that you would have known any want. 
He was beginning to be very prosperous when I 
went away, and he possessed a large, noble soul. I 
am going to take his place as far as I can. I want a 


176 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


pleasant home for myself, and I expect yon to be my 
little girl, so I shall give you all the advantages in 
my power.” 

Kathie’s eyes filled with tender tears. Looking 
around at the bright world on this sunshiny day, 
she thanked God softly for all his blessings. 

“ Here is Mr. Grayson’s,” she said, as they turned 
into a broad avenue, lined with wide-spreading elms. 

- Mr. Grayson’s was certainly a very pretty country- 
house, roomy, with a large lawn sloping down to the 
street, a wide, vine-covered porch across the front 
and one end, a deep bay-window, and a profusion of 
handsome shrubbery. 

“ Very cosey and home-like. Now if we had such 
a house — ” 

“ As handsome as that ! ” ejaculated Kathie. 

“ Quite as handsome ” ; and Uncle Eobert’s eyes 
had a merry twinkle in them, which showed how 
much he was enjoying Kathie’s surprise. 

“This is a lovely part of the town,” he said, at 
length. “ Over beyond is the river.” 

“ Silver Eiver, because it is so clear. That ’s where 
Eob wants to go boating, but mamma does n’t like to 
have him.” 


THE PURSE OF FORTUNATUS. 


177 


They went to the end of the street. Here the 
river broadened, making a pretty little lake. In fact 
it was only a slender arm connecting the lake with 
Guilford Eiver. 

Just at this point, facing the lake, stood a rather 
deserted-looking mansion. The shrubbery around 
was luxuriant but untrimmed, the flower-beds had 
gone to weeds and grass the fall before, and presented 
a very untidy appearance. 

“Does any one live here ? ” Uncle Eobert asked. 

“ No. It belongs to a Mr. Tompkins, wlio had 
it rented out awliile. I believe some one died and 
left the place to him ; but don’t you think it ’s 
dreary ? ” 

“ It could be made very pleasant. If this space 
down to the lake was cleared and transformed into a 
lawn, — you see lying to the south would add a great 
charm. There are some noble old trees around. 
And this is n’t very far from the depot, while it is 
quite removed from the manufactories. If it was 
touched with an enchanter’s wand — You don’t half 
believe in my unlimited powers, Kathie. When you 
come to find a piece of gold always in your purse — ” 

At this Kathie laughed. 


8 * 


L 


178 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


"^Here is Mr. Darrell’s/’ she said, turning into 
another street. “ It always seems so bright here.” 

“ Suppose Miss Jessie was haughty and Charlie a 
disagreeable boy ? Is n’t it the pleasant association 
that makes a place bright ? ” 

“I believe it is,” she answered, thinking of the 
happy Saturday so long ago, when it seemed so hard 
to come away. 

Going round by the school, they found that it was 
twelve o’clock, for the children were just being dis- 
missed. 

“ How fast the morning has gone ! ” Kathie re- 
marked, and then, looking over, she nodded gayly to 
the girls. 

Eob ran across to them. “ 0, has n’t it been 
jolly ! ” he began. I ’ve had lots of fun this morn- 
ing, and I told Charlie that I thought I ’d have a 
boat.” 

“ Where ’s Freddy ? ” 

" O the little lag-behind ! He ’s somewhere.” 

Kathie looked as if she must go and find him. 
But while she was debating he emerged from the 
crowd, and they all went homeward. 

Mamma had dinner prepared. Aunt Euth had 


THE PURSE OF FORTUNATUS. 


179 


tied a ribbon in her soft hair and looked quite 
girhsh. 

“We will have to go out again this afternoon/' 
Uncle Eobert said to Kathie. “We must find mam- 
ma a servant, so that she will be a little more at 
liberty. And if there ’s a horse to be had we might 
take a drive.” 

Kathie’s eyes sparkled. 

“ You ’re having all the fun,” exclaimed Eob. 

“ There will be a good many days in which to 
have fun,” rejoined his uncle. 

.They had a long, serious talk after dinner. The 
house was altogether too small, even if there had 
been no other fault, so Uncle Eobert proposed that 
they should have a new one as soon as possible. He 
had hosts of traps in New York and wanted a place 
to accommodate them. If no one lived in the 
Tompkins house, that might be purchased and re- 
arranged to their liking. They drove past it and 
took another look. It was rather pretentious. A 
two-story bay-window, and one corner of the house 
built up in turret fashion with a cupola on the top. 
“ There must be plenty of room,” Uncle Eobert said, 
and that was just what they wanted. The apart- 


180 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


ment on the second floor containing the hay- window 
should be Aunt Ruth’s, on account of the nice south- 
ern outlook. And they would all go in there to 
spend their evenings. 

Something of an air-castle until we learn whether 
it will be sold or not,” he went on, with a smile; 

but as Kathie is fond of the fairy element in real 
life, we will not mind.” 

They found a servant who promised to come the 
next day, and went home qu,ite well satisfied. 

“ Now for the purse,” Uncle Robert said in the 
evening, producing a gold piece ; but Kathie laugh- 
ingly confessed that she had never owned one. 
“ Then Aunt Ruth must lend you hers. Now, here 
is a veritable purse of Fortunatus, and it is never to 
be empty.” 

“ Can’t I have one too ? ” said Fred. 

“ I ’m afraid you and Rob do not understand the 
mysteries of fairydom quite so well,” he answered, 
with a comical face. 

But, Uncle Robert, I ’m afraid I shall never have 
a chance to spend it.” 

“ Then it will never be empty,” explained 
Rob. 


THE PUKSE OF FORTUNATUS. 


181 


“ That is n’t in the bargain,” said his uncle. 
Kathie and I know how to manage, I think.” 
Kathie went to sleep dreaming of her gold piece 
that was never to fail. Had she really been trans- 
ported to fairy-land ? 


182 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


CHAPTEE XII. 

AN ENCHANTED COUNTRY. 

There was a great time at school the next day, 
Kathie was besieged on every hand. Was it really 
true that her uncle had come home, and was he ever 
so rich ? Were they going to live in New York, and 
keep a carriage ? 

Mary Cox gave her a warm squeeze. “ I ’m so 
glad,” she said, though I could n’t love you any 
better if you owned the whole world.” 

“ Was n’t it queer that man should be your uncle ? ” 
asked Lucy Gardiner. Don’t you feel a little afraid 
of him ? ” 

“Afraid! Why?” 

“ O, he has such a great beard ! ” 

Kathie laughed gayly. “ He ’s just delightful,” she 
said. 

“And I suppose you will have lots of beautiful 
dresses,” was Lottie Thorne’s comment. 

Kathie had n’t thought of that, and she felt as 


AN ENCHANTED COUNTRY. 


183 


nice in her pink gingham as if it had been 
silk. 

Just after school was dismissed Miss Moore beck- 
oned her to the desk, and put her arm around the 
little girl, kissing her fondly. 

“ I must congratulate you, Kathie,” she said. “ I 
am very glad that such good fortune has befallen you ; 
but there is another thing that pleases me nearly as 
much.” 

Kathie’s soft eyes questioned her teacher. 

" I have observed a very great improvement in you 
since Christmas. You have always been studious, 
but, like the majority of children, quite thoughtless. 
It ’s very natural, I suppose; but of late you have 
grown orderly, and always seem to be studying the 
pleasure and comfort of others. And now, my child, 
I hope nothing in your new life will induce you to 
forget this good beginning.” 

I have been trying pretty hard,” Kathie an- 
swered, as a little flush quivered over her face. “1 
used to forget so easily, but I ’m learning to put 
everything in its place, and not make trouble for 
others. Fighting giants. Aunt Euth calls it.” 

You make pretty steady war upon them.” 


184 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


“ O Miss Moore, I want to be good, first of all.” 

“ You are in the right way, Kathie, but you will 
find it difficult work. There is nothing like perse- 
verance.” 

“ It seems to me that everything will come easier. 
Why, I Ve been so happy since Uncle Kobert re- 
turned that I hardly know myself. Then to think 
of mamma and Aunt Euth — ” 

“ While you carry them so close to your heart you 
will not be in much danger. And I wish for you a 
happy, useful life.” 

It was all pleasure, Kathie thought. Uncle Eobert 
was so good-natured and untiring, full of merriment, 
and always planning charming surprises. Aunt Euth 
seemed to grow young every day, and tlie careworn 
look faded out of mamma’s face. 

After one or two consultations, inquiries were made 
about the house to which Uncle Eobert had taken 
such a fancy. He learned that it could be purchased 
for a very moderate sum, much below its real value. 
It was considerably out of repair, and the grounds 
needed rearranging. He, Eob, and Katliie were first 
to inspect it, and she was very much interested. 

There was a nice wide hall through the middle. 


AN ENCHANTED COUNTRY. 


185 


with a spacious parlor on one side, larger than that 
at the Darrells’. A library with the bay-window, a 
dining-room adjoining, and at the end of this a 
large conservatory. There were two or three kitch- 
ens in the rear, and on the next floor four handsome 
sleeping-rooms, with one smaller one over the con- 
servatory. Eob took a great fancy to the tower, and 
thought he and Fred would take possession of the 
third floor, so as to be handy. 

Handy for what ? ” asked Kathie. 

“ 0, a ghost. There ought to be a ghost here.” 

“ I hope not.” 

“ You would n’t be afraid, Uncle Eobert ? ” 

“ Not much,” said he, with a droll smile. 

There are no such things as ghosts,” Kathie re- 
turned, with an assumption of bravery. 

'' Go up in this tower on a dark night ! ” 

They mounted it now and were charmed with the 
prospect. As the house stood on a slight elevation 
they could see all the neighboring towns, and Brook- 
side lay at their very feet. 

“ 0, I do like it ! ” Kathie exclaimed with enthu- 
siasm. 

" This will be Point Lookout,” said Eob. “ 0, I 


186 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


wish we were on the sea-shore and could see the 
ships go by.” 

“ It may serve some other useful purpose,” replied 
his uncle. 

“ When Fred is particularly noisy he can come up 
here and racket to his heart ’s content.” 

“ I once heard of a man who used to have bad 
tempers when the wind was in the east ; so he built 
himself a little room which he called a growlery, 
and when he felt ill-humored he could retire to it,’* 
Uncle Eobert said. 

“ Do you think we shall need a growlery ? ” asked 
Kathie. 

“ Eather a dungeon to put our giants in,” said Eob. 

Uncle Eobert looked from one to the other for an 
explanation. 

“ Kathie and I fight giants sometimes,” Eob re- 
turned, with a rising flush. 

Wliich of you is the better warrior ? ” 

Kathie,” Eob said, frankly. “ I mean to, but I 
forget.” 

And what are the giants, — bad habits ? ” 

“ That ’s it. Uncle Eobert. I believe it is easier 
for girls to be good than for boys.” 


A.N ENCHANTED COUNTRY. 


187 


“ It requires some resolution and perseverance on 
either side. I ’m glad you are both taking the 
giants before they have reached their full stature. 
But now we will go down and look at the grounds. 
If you can think of anything you would like very 
much you may make some suggestions.” 

"A boat-house,” proposed Kob, with a merry 
twinkle in his eye. 

“ I think we will have to see about that,” said 
his uncle. " Kathie, would n’t it please you too ? ” 
I ’d like Eob to have the boat. I believe I am 
a little afraid, and mamma has not been willing that 
I should go on the water ; but she would n’t object 
with you.” 

Girls always squeal so when they ’re frightened,” 
Eob announced, rather disdainfully. 

‘‘We will have the boat another summer, if not 
this. I think there will be a great deal on hand. We 
shall hardly be moved and settled before September.” 

Eob looked surprised, for it seemed to him the 
whole matter ought to be accomplished in a month. 

“ Uncle Eobert,” Kathie began, “ I ’d like to have 
a pretty summer-house out here, where we could 
play when the girls came to see me.” 


188 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


“It would be very nice. When the place ia 
cleared up you may select a spot.” 

As it was growing dark they started for home. 
Just before they reached the cottage one golden 
star came out, and Kathie remembered the night 
she went to the baker’s, and Imw it seemed to run 
on before, looking so bright and happy. Had she 
been like the star ? 

Uncle Eobert bought the place, and carpenters, 
masons, and laborers were set to work immediately. 
The walls needed repapering, for having been shut 
up so long they were quite discolored. For this 
and several other matters he deemed it necessary 
to go to New York. 

“And now., Kathie, we can see if your wish is 
practicable,” he said. “ I told Aunt Euth how anx- 
ious you were for her recovery, and she is quite 
willing to try any means that may be thought best ; 
so I believe I will take you and her to the city with 
me, and we can have an opinion on the case.” 

“ Oh !-” Kathie exclaimed, eagerly, “ dear Uncle 
Eobert, I shall be so glad if it can be done. Then 
there would n’t be anything left to wish for!” 

“ I don’t suppose she can be entirely cured ; but if 


AN ENCHANTED COUNTRY. 


189 


she can get about easily that will he a great improve- 
ment. I wonder how long it will take mamma to 
get you ready ? ” 

Kathie flew to inquire. Her mother had been 
making her several new dresses, — not half so elegant 
as Lottie Thorne thought they ought to he. 

You 11 he a real little dowdy, Kathie Alston,” she 
said, rather spitefully ; hut Kathie was very well sat 
isfied. She remembered how uncomfortable she had 
felt at first in her blue silk. 

After a little discussion the first of the next week 
was appointed for starting. When Eob heard of the 
proposed journey he felt quite envious. 

“ Seems to me you come in for all the nice 
things,” he said, rather crossly ; “ I don’t see why 
I could n’t go too ! ” 

Kathie interceded fo.‘ him in her sweetest fashion. 

“It is quite impossiblj,” replied Uncle Eobert. 
“ In the first place, boys are restless fellows ; and 
he would want to go everywhere and see everything, 
while I prefer just now to devote all my spare time 
to you and Aunt Euth. He would prove too great a 
charge for me. Do you feel very badly about it, 
Kathie ? ” for he saw how sad the bright little face 
had grown. 


190 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


“ He would like it so much ; and if you explained 
it all to him I think he would n’t make much 
trouble.” 

“ My little darling, I hate to refuse that tender 
heart anything ; hut Rob would have a much better 
visit alone, and I should feel relieved not to have 
him this time. He must learn that it is necessary to 
give up some desires in this life.” 

“ But it seems to me that I have everything.” 

“ Because you keep your wants so small, Kathie ; 
and that is the great secret of enjoyment.” 

She could n’t help pitying Rob, and easing his 
disappointment by the promise of going another 
time. He was inclined to be ungracious at first, 
quite forgetting that it was not Kathie’s fault. 

On Monday their trunk was packed and sent off 
yy express. They were to follow at their leisure. 
Aunt Ruth had improved a good deal in health ; but 
then she always was better in the summer. Kathie 
thought she looked especially sweet in her soft gray 
dress and bonnet, with a little cluster of forget-me- 
nots falling at one temple. It seemed so strange 
to go away on a journey, for Kathie had never been 
farther than the next town since she could remember. 


AN ENCHANTED COUNTRY. 


191 


Kob was delighted to drive them over to the sta- 
tion, and thought it would be royal when they had 
horses of their own. He looked after Kathie with 
longing eyes as she waved her hand from the car 
window, and gave Aunt Euth a cheery smile. The 
locomotive uttered its shrill whistle, and away they 
went. It was June then, and the country was lovely 
everywhere. The houses and trees and winding 
river flew by them like dissolving pictures. Kathie 
held her breath from sheer surprise. 

Though she enjoyed it very much, it was rather 
tiresome to Aunt Euth, who was used to sitting 
in an easy-chair or lying on the lounge. By noon 
she began to look quite pale, and Uncle Eobert asked 
if they had not better stay and rest at the place 
where they were to change cars. 

No, I think I ’ll go on and rest at the end of the 
journey,” she replied. 

They stopped long enough to get some refresh- 
ments. Kathie declared she was ’most starved, and 
was very sorry that Aunt Euth could not eat any- 
thing. Uncle Eobert took her out for a short walk 
around the depot, and when the bell rang they hur- 
ried back. A little after three they reached New 


192 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


York. Kathie was almost stunned by the noisy 
shouts, and looked around in a startled fashion. 
Everybody sprang up and rushed out of the car. 

We will sit still until the crowd has dispersed,” 
Uncle Eobert said ; so they watched the passengers, 
and several times Kathie had a good laugh at some 
comical incident. 

“Now I ’ll go find a hack,” and Uncle Eobert 
rose. He had made Aunt Euth quite comfortable by 
pillowing her with shawls. 

So the two were left alone. There was n’t very 
much fun looking out of the window now, and in a 
few seconds Kathie felt quite strange and lonesome. 
Then a man came in and began to turn the backs of 
the seats over. He glanced sharply at Kathie and 
her aunt, as if he wondered what they were doing 
there. 

“ Don’t you think Uncle Eobert stays a long 
while ? ” Kathie whispered, timidly. 

“ He will be here in a moment,” was the reply. 

The cars gave a lurch and started on. Kathie 
turned pale, but before she could speak they stopped. 

“ 0 Aunt Euth, what if we were to be taken on 
somewhere ? ” 


AN ENCHANTED COUNTRY. 


193 


"We shall not be ” ; and Aunt Ruth smiled. 

" If Uncle Robert only would come ! 

"There he is.” 

Sure enough, smiling gayly as if he had not' been 
away more than a moment. 

"O Uncle Robert, I thought you were lost!” 

He patted the perplexed little face. "I should 
have to take leave of my senses first, before I could 
be lost in New York. Now, if you will carry the 
shawls, I ’ll take Aunt Ruth in my arms. 0, here ’s 
her crutch too. I will come back after that.” 

Kathie followed down the long platform. A 
driver was holding open the coach door, and Uncle 
Robert placed the invalid tenderly within. Then he 
handed up Kathie and sprang after them, and the 
door shut with a click. Off they rolled. Kathie 
glanced out of the window. 

" 0 Uncle Robert, does n’t it look queer ? 
What lots and lots of houses ! And how we do 
joggle ! Won’t it hurt Aunt Ruth ? ” 

"It will be easier when we turn out of this 
street.” 

"Uncle Robert, where do all the people come 
from?” 


9 


M 


194 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


He laughed. “Why, the streets are quite thin 
now ! An hour or two later and there will he a 
crowd.” 

Katliie was silent from astonishment. “ What 
beautiful stores ’ ” she said presently. “ Why, Uncle 
Eobert, it is like fairy-land.” 

“We will take a walk down Broadway some day, 
and you will think it more wonderful than ever.” 

They stopped in front of what seemed to Kathie a 
palace. She felt quite strange because there were so 
many people standing round, and it appeared as if 
every one stared at her, so she clung very closely to 
Uncle Eobert. 

“ Why, Conover ! ” said a frank voice. “ Who ever 
expected to see you here ? Can I he of any assist- 
ance ? ” 

“ Meredith ! ” returned Uncle Eobert. “ I ’m glad 
to see you. I believe I left you climbing the Alps. 
Will you take charge of this little girl and a shawl ? ” 

It seemed to Kathie that he looked wonderfully 
like Uncle Eoh, for he had a full beard and eyes that 
sparkled with fun. He picked up the shawl and drew 
Kathie’s hand just through his arm with the utmost 
ease and grace, leading her through the hall and up 


AN ENCHANTED COUNTRY. 


195 


the wide stairs that were soft as a cushion. She felt 
quite lost as she entered the parlor, for a deep glass 
coming nearly down to the floor showed her herself 
and Mr. Meredith, and one opposite gave back the 
same picture. 

“ This is my sister, Miss Conover,” Uncle Eobert 
said as soon as she was seated in a great crimson arm- 
chair, and this my niece. Miss Kathie Alston. My 
friend, Mr. Mereditli, Euth, whom I met in Europe.” 

I ’m right glad to see you, Conover, and if I can be 
of the slightest service, command me to the utmost. 
It will be a charity to find me some employment.” 

Kathie could n’t help smiling. Mr. Meredith’s 
voice had sucli a merry ring, and he shrugged his 
shoulders so oddly. 

“ You can entertain the ladies while I find a room. 
I hope^ we shall not have to go up to the skylight.” 

You can step in the elevator and come down,” re- 
joined Mr. Meredith, “or enjoy yourself like the 
German student who lived in the first story if you 
entered by the chimney.” 

“ Scaling the roofs beforehand ? I ’ve turned quiet 
and sensible.” 

“ The excuse that is generally made for laziness.” 


t96 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


ITHcle Eobert bowed himself away, and Mr. Mere- 
dith began to talk to Kathie, who told him very 
frankly that this was her first visit to the city, 
although she had been born there. 

“There will be a great many things to entertain 
you then. I shall petition for the situation of escort 
several times. I hope we shall get on famously 
together. I have a niece just about your age, and we 
have gay times.” 

“ Does she live here ? ” asked Kathie, timidly. 

“ Only awhile in the winter. My brother’s resi- 
dence is a short sail up the Hudson. I ’ll try and 
persuade Mr. Conover to go there some day. Do 
you like to sail ? ” 

“ I don’t know,” Kathie answered, a little doubtfully. 

Uncle Eobert came back presently. He had secured 
two very nice rooms, and their trunk, having arrived, 
had been sent up already. 

“ 0 Uncle Eobert, I don’t believe I ever could find 
my way around this place,” Kathie said, amazed at 
the stairs and halls. 

I ’ll have to hire a guide as they do in the Cata- 
combs.” 

The rooms were very cosey, and to Kathie’s inexpe 


AN ENCHANTED COUNTRY. 


197 


rienced eyes extremely elegant. Aunt Euth was so 
tired that she begged to be laid on the bed at once. 

“ You must be housekeeper and settle the things,” 
she said to Kathie. 

Uncle Eob unlocked the trunk and helped Kathie 
unpack. They hung up the dresses in the wardrobe, 
and laid the smaller articles in the drawers. Kathie 
was so neat and handy that she quite surprised Uncle 
Eob. In a few moments they were all in order. 

“ What can be done for you, my dear, tired sister ?” 
Uncle Eobert asked. 

“ I wish you would order me some tea and toast, 
and if Kathie will help me to undress, I shall be more 
comfortable. Every bone in my body aches.” 

She did look very pale and tired. Uncle Eob went 
to his own room, and then Kathie bathed Aunt Euth’s 
face and hands, brushed her hair smooth, put on a 
nice fresh night-dress and arranged the pillows. 

“ It seems so odd to go to bed in the afternoon,” 
she said, with a smile. 

“I can rest better in this manner.” 

The toast and tea came up. Aunt Euth did n’t 
seem much hungry ; but Kathie fed her just as 
mamma used to feed Eob wdien he was sick, and 
presently she declared herself quite refreshed. 


198 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


"You are a most charming little nurse, Kathie,’’ 
said Uncle Kobert ; " I shall be tempted to fall ill 
some time.” 

" Not here,” returned Kathie, entreatingly ; " I 
should get lost the first time I ventured into the 
hall.” 

Aunt Euth sipped her tea until she began to feel 
rather sleepy ; then she told Kathie to get ready for 
dinner and go down with Uncle Eob, and during the 
quiet she might manage to get a nap. 

So Kathie brushed out her shining hair and put on 
a white dress. Uncle Eobert tied her blue party 
sash after he came in, and then, kissing Aunt Euth 
many times, they went down to the parlor. 

" Here ’s a veritable fairy ! ” exclaimed Mr. Mere- 
dith. " Will you sit here by the window ? How is 
your sister, Conover ? ” 

"Very much fatigued. I brought lier to New 
York for medical advice. A number of years ago she 
had a bad fall, which crippled her ; but having known 
some wonderful cures myself, I have faith to believe 
that she can be helped. I should like to meet a 
skilful and honorable physician, and learn just what 
could be done, for I should n’t want her subjected to 
an}^ unnecessary suffering.” 


AN ENCHANTED COUNTRY. 


199 


I have an old uncle who is held in high repute 
by medical men generally, and I ’d like you to see 
him, Conover. You may be sure that he will tell 
the truth. He does n’t attend to anything but 
office practice except sometimes for an old friend ; 
yet I think he could be persuaded to come here 
and see her.” 

Very kind of you, indeed. I feel rather strange 
here now, and the people I used to know have 
mostly forgotten me. A great many changes occur 
in ten years.” 

“ Have you been away that long ? ” 

“ Nearly eleven years ; but I realize the lapse 
of time more by the alterations in all I see here 
than in my own experience there. I regret deeply 
that I did not return sooner: but for a long, long 
while I never heard a word from home.” 

Mr. Meredith was a good deal interested and began 
to question his friend. As travelling acquaintances 
in Germany they had learned very little of each 
other’s past life, though much pleased with the 
chance encounter. 

Kathie looked out of the window, greatly amazed 
at the sight. A procession of people appeared to be 


200 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


going up both sides of the street, and in the middle 
an interminable confusion of carriages, omnibuses, 
drays, express-wagons, and, it seemed to her, every- 
thing that could be put upon wheels. Occasionally a 
brave pedestrian ventured across the street, running 
between the horses, in imminent danger of having 
his head bitten off or being trodden under foot, she 
thought. Then a strange, sharp clang sounded 
through the rooms, making echoes everywhere. 
She sprang up and glanced at Uncle Eobert. 

'' Only the gong,” he answered, laughingly. Now 
we will go to dinner, for I dare say you need yours.” 

With her hand in Uncle Eobert’s she went to the 
long dining-hall. The children’s supper at the Dar- 
rells was nothing in comparison. Kathie was too 
well bred to stare about or show her surprise. To be 
sure, the tall waiter standing behind, bowing and 
asking rapid questions, rather disconcerted her. 
Uncle Eobert took pains to make her comfoita- 
ble, and Mr. Meredith was very agreeable. Kathie 
stole a glance now and then at the long rows, — 
ladies very handsomely dressed and fine-looking men 
chatting gayly. It was like a story. 

“ What a little lady that child is ! ” Mr. Meredith 


AN ENCHANTED COUNTRY. 


201 


said in a low tone to Uncle Eobert. “You must 
certainly go up the river witli me one day. I want 
Ada to see her.” 

Uncle Eobert looked very much gratified. He ran 
up stairs present!}^ to see how Aunt Euth progressed, 
and brouglit back a favorable account. 

“ Does n’t she want me ? ” asked Kathie. 

“ Not unless you are too tired to stay down here.” 

Kathie said she was not. The parlors were lighted 
up and looked enchanting. One after another saun- 
tered in, and presently a lady began to play on the 
piano. Some friends of Mr. Meredith found him 
out, and formed quite a circle about them. He 
brought one lady to introduce to Kathie, a very 
sweet-looking person, to whom the child took an 
instant fancy. Mrs. Havens asked ber if she was 
there alone with her uncle, and Kathie said they 
had come with her aunt, who was an invalid. This 
led to ^uite a conversation on the subject, until sud- 
denly her eyes felt as if there had been a leaden 
weight attached to them. 

“ Uncle Eobert,” she said, when there was a pause, 
“ if you please I will go up stairs.” Then she bade 
them all good night. 


202 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


“A charming child!” exclaimed Mrs. Havens. 

We must manage to see the aunt to-morrow, fo*: 
I am much interested in them. I knew some 
Alstons a number of years ago, but I don’t suppose 
it is her family.” 

Kathie talked a little while to Aunt Kuth, then 
put her clothes away in an orderly fashion, said her 
prayers, and crept in beside the invalid. 

It seems so lonesome without mother and Eob 
and Freddy, — does n’t it ? And though I ’m tired 
and sleepy, I don’t believe I can ever go to sleep. 
There ’s such a noise in the street, and I ’m not used 
to living in palaces.” 

But a soft little laugh was the last sound Aunt 
Euth heard. 


GALA-DAYS. 


203 


CHAPTEE XIII. 

GALA-DAYS. 

When Kathie woke the next morning the elegant 
lace curtains with their gilt cornices and the marble- 
topped bureau with its carved mirror-frame met her 
eyes. She rubbed them dreamily, wondering where 
she was. Then she sat up in the bed and listened 
to the noise without. 

“ 0 Aunt Euth ! ” she exclaimed, glad to find a 
home face. 

There was a little tap at the door, and Uncle 
Eobert’s cheerful voice asked if they were in bed yet. 

“ Xo,” said Kathie, hopping out on the floor, “ but 
I ’m just up, and will be ready in a few moments.” 

Aunt Euth felt quite rested. After Kathie was 
dressed she assisted her, and then they admitted 
Uncle Eobert, who was glad to find them so much 
refreshed. 

“ Do you feel strong enough to go down to break- 
fast ? ” he asked of Aunt Euth. 


204 KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 

“ 0, do ! ” pleaded Kathie. “ It ’s so odd and pretty 
down there, and there are such crowds of people.” 

It will look quite different by daylight,” said 
Uncle Eohert. 

“ But you can’t help liking Mr. Meredith, and Mrs. 
Havens is so sweet, something like Mrs. Darrell. 
And she wants to see you.” 

Then Uncle Eohert told what Mr. Meredith had 
said about his uncle. He was to call on Dr. Mark- 
ham that morning and ask his advice. 

Presently they went down. The dining-hall did 
look rather sparse and straggling. They crossed over 
to a table at which Mrs. Havens was sitting. 

“ Good morning,” exclaimed Mr. Meredith, joining 
them. “ I was afraid some of your kinsfolk had 
spirited you away.” 

Who _? ” asked Kathie. 

Why, the people in green.” 

“ So you have found out her relatives ? ” asked 
Uncle Eohert. 

“ Have you brought your wand and your invisible 
cap, to say nothing of the unfailing purse ? ” 

Kathie laughed at this. “ I believe I have a 
purse,” she said, “ but I have never tried it.” 


GALA- DAYS. 


205 


" Invite me to go out with you ; will you not ? ” 

She glanced at Uncle Robert. “ I ’m afraid you 
do not understand the charm,” she answered, slowly. 

‘"I ’ve a great mind to pack Mr. Conover off to 
the country, and take you in charge myself,” he re- 
turned. 

It was half past nine when they returned to the 
parlor, Kathie thought they were rapidly falling into 
lazy habits. The two gentlemen prepared for their 
walk, and Mrs. Havens proposed entertaining Kathie 
and her aunt. Indeed,, in the course of the morning’s 
talk, she discovered that she had been acquainted 
with Mr. Alston’s family. He had no nearer relatives 
than uncles and cousins, and after his death they had 
not interested themselves especially in his widow, as 
is too often the way of the world. 

The morning passed very pleasantly indeed. 
Uncle Robert returned with the news that Dr. 
Markham had promised to call on Aunt Ruth that 
afternoon. Mr. Meredith persuaded Kathie to take 
a walk with him, and after their late lunch they 
started. 

“We will go down Broadway first,” he began, 
gayly. “They don’t charge much for looking at 


206 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


pretty things, and we will both make believe that 
we have come from the country.” 

Kathie made a sudden pause. Three of the oddest 
people she had ever seen in her life were coming 
towards her. They wore flat straw hats, had one 
long braid of hair hanging down behind, carried 
parasols, and were so strangely dressed that she could 
n’t tell whether they were men or women. 

“ Are they real Chinese ? ” she asked, timidly. 

“The pure article, — packed in tea, standing on 
their heads, and imported at great expense ; war- 
ranted not to spoil in any climate.” 

Kathie looked very doubtful after this explana- 
tion. 

“Yes. Some distinguished strangers visiting the 
city. Your Uncle Eobert has lived among them, I 
believe.” 

“ How comical they do look ! I should n’t want to 
be Chinese.” 

“Well, I can’t say that I have any particular 
desire for a pig- tail and rat diet. Now here is a 
store of curiosities. It is almost as good as travel- 
ing round the world.” 

They entered, and Kathie went from one thing 


GALA-DAYS. 


207 


to another in the greatest surprise. Toys and arti- 
^es of virtu imported from every corner of the globe. 
She wanted to buy some for Freddy, but she could n’t 
tell which to choose. 

“ 0, we will come in again some day,” Mr. Mere- 
dith said. “ There ’s ever so much more to see.” 

And so she thought as they went on. Mr. Mere- 
dith explained everything in the gayest manner 
imaginable, told her odd stories about the woman 
who sold apples and nuts at the corner, people who 
begged for a living, and the organ-grinders. They 
went up in the belfry of Trinity Church, and it 
seemed to Kathie that they could see all over the 
world. Then they stroUed into the Museum, but the 
play being half through they did not care for that. 
Afterward Mr. Meredith stopped an omnibus and 
they rode down to the Battery. Here he enter- 
tained her with some of Irving’s anecdotes of the 
early Dutch settlers, after which they returned to 
the hotel. 

Aunt Euth was in her room, so Mr. Meredith 
took Kathie up, and there she found Uncle Eobert. 

“ Has Dr. Markham been ? ” was her eager ques- 
tion. 


208 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


“ Yes,” he answered. 

“ And wliat did he say ? 0 Aunt Kuth — ” 

Uncle Eohert took her on his knee. “ My little 
girl,” he began, “ it will be a long and tedious af^ 
fair, but Dr. Markham thinks she can be so far re- 
stored as to dispense with a crutch. There would 
have to be a very painful operation, and Aunt Euth 
would be compelled to remain in the city for sev- 
eral months.” 

“ Now ? ” Kathie asked with a little awe. 

He does n’t advise it until September, There 
will be no danger to Aunt Euth’s life, and he seems 
quite h.)peful. He is coming again to-morrow with 
a skilful surgeon, and after we hear all we shall 
decide.” 

“ I should be sorry about the pain, but. Aunt 
Euth, if you could walk easily, how delightful it 
would be ! I should n’t like to have you away — ” 
You will have to come and be her little nurse.” 

“ 0, if I only might ! ” 

Uncle Eohert kissed the generous girL 

Then she told what a gay time she had with Mr. 
Meredith. “And I wanted to buy ever so many 
things, but I could n’t make any choice.” 


GALA-DAYS. 


209 


“We will take our turn to-morrow morning. You 
must put on your wishing-cap, for I ’m afraid the 
purse will never be brought in requisition.” 

“ But you get everything for me,” she said, 
earnestly, “ and for mamma and the boys. I really 
don’t know what to do with money.” 

“An unusual complaint,” he said, laughingly. 

The following day was very fine, and they took 
quite an early start. 

“ Now you must have large eyes, Kathie,” her 
uncle said. 

“ What are you going to do ? ” 

“ Buy ever so much for our new house. First, I 
think we will look at wall-papers. Since I am here 
I may as well get all the tilings there would be 
any difficulty about in a small town. They can be 
sent by express very easily.” 

They went to a large paper-warehouse. The 
clerk began to unroll some elegant things. Uncle 
Robert looked them over very indifferently, Kathie 
thought, while she was silent from surprise. At 
length she uttered an involuntary exclamation. 

“ So you like this crimson ? ” he said, much pleased. 
“Now, Kathie, we can have our library or our 


210 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


parlor furnished with crimson ; which shall it 
he?” 

Kathie considered a few moments. Eed carpets 
and curtains always looked so cosey and bright, and 
this paper with its stripe of rich deep crimson be- 
tween the gilt was so very pretty. 

" Or we can have the crimson in Aunt Kuth’s 
room.” 

0, that will be just it,” returned Kathie. ''Green, 
I suppose, does look more like a library.” 

"And there ’s a paper just this pattern with a 
green stripe. See how beautifully it contrasts with 
the pearl of the panels.” 

" Let us have that for our library then, and this 
for Aunt Kuth’s room. And for the parlor something 
very delicate.” 

"Then there ’s the dining-room, which must be 
in oak. We have quite an arduous task before 
us.” 

They compared, discussed re^spective merits, and 
finally made their selections. Then the furniture 
was to be chosen. 

This interested Kathie wonderfully. There was 
such a variety ; all were so lovely. Great luxuriou^i 


GALA-DAYS. 


211 


chairs of every description, in which one might dream 
away hours. Two were especially comfortable, — a 
rocker and a reclining-chair that could be turned into 
a bed at a moment’s notice. Both were in crimson 
plush 

“ These must be Aunt Euth’s,” Kathie said, " un- 
less — ” 

Well ? ” Uncle Eobert smiled good-naturedly. 

“ I think they will cost a good deal,” she ventured, 
timidly. 

“That part of it you are not to mind,” he re- 
turned. 

“I begin to believe you are a fairy prince.” 

So Kathie had a gay time, her wishes being- 
answered as soon as expressed. But Uncle Eobert 
noticed that she was continually thinking of others, 
and seemed to have very little anxiety about herself. 
So he told her he was going to choose the furniture 
of her room, and she was not to see it until it came 
home. 

Afterward came the carpets. It was quite late 
before they were through, and they hurried back to 
the hotel just in time to meet Dr. Markham and his 
friend. Kathie remained in the parlor with Mrs. 


212 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


Havens, rather fatigued with her morning’s work, 
and glad to rest. 

It was determined in the evening that Aunt Kuth 
would come to the city in the fall and undergo the 
operation. Dr. Markham proposed to take her to his 
house, where he could have her under his immediate 
supervision. He was quite sanguine of success. 

Mr. Meredith was very anxious to have them all 
go up the river to his brother’s, but Aunt Ptuth 
thought it too tiresome for her. She insisted that 
Kathie should not be deprived of the pleasure, and 
one lovely morning they started. The sail was 
delightful Guilford River, that had seemed remark- 
able to Kathie heretofore, shrank into insignificance. 
Beautiful green shores rising higher and higher until 
broken by the frowning rocks of the Palisades ! 
Kathie held her breath in wonder. It was like 
entering an enchanted country. 

Mr. Meredith enjoyed Kathie’s surprise and 
pleasure. She was so sweet and unaffected, and 
thoroughly appreciated the efforts made to enter- 
tain her. More than one of the passengers watched 
her as she rambled up and down, talking in lier 
pretty fashion, her soft eyes and winsome smile 
brightening with every word. 


GALA-DAYS. 


213 


There was a carriage at the landing, awaiting them. 
Miss Ada had come down with the driver, and greet- 
ed her uncle and her guests very cordially. She was 
not as pretty Sis Kathie, and had a proud air that 
might not be pleasant at all times ; but now she was 
charming. 

The drive home was short, as the house stood but 
half a mile from the river. It was a very handsome 
place, and elegantly furnished. There were several 
younger children ; but Ada had a room to herself, 
fitted up in a lovely manner, Kathie thought. There 
was a tiny sofa, a bookcase, well filled, and some 
pretty pictures ; a cottage bedstead, with the whitest 
of counterpanes and dainty ruffled pillow-cases. 

The two girls compared notes. Did Kathie have a 
piano, and could she play and sing and draw ? Did 
she go to parties and have beautiful dresses ? 

Kathie felt rather embarrassed; but, in turn, she 
told about the snow-house, and how they enjoyed 
sledding down hill in winter. Kob and Freddy came 
in for a fond remembrance. 

think children are a great bother,” said Ada, 
“ and I ’m glad that we have a nurse. You don’t 
take care of your little brother, — do you ? ” 


214 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


0 yes ; I don’t mind it very much, though ; but 
sometimes he is quite troublesome. Only I think 
we always love our family so well that it is a pleas- 
ure to care for them.” 

Ada shrugged her shoulders. 

Can’t we go in the nursery ? ” Kathie asked, 
presently. 

“ Yes, if you like ” ; and Ada led the way to a 
large, plainly furnished room, strewn with toys, and 
containing four occupants, — a nurse and three chil- 
dren. The baby was a sweet little girl of about four. 

Kathie held out her hands and she came at once. 

« Why, how odd ! Florence is generally shy of 
strangers ” ; and Ada looked surprised. 

But Kathie’s sweet smile had won the little ona 
What a pretty name, — Florence ! If I had such 
a darling little sister I should n’t want ever to go 
away from her.” 

Ada smiled rather indifferently as she replied, 
“But I have so much to occupy my attention, and 
I don’t love to take care of children.” 

The boys began to make shy advances to Kathie. 
She told George about her little brother at home ; 
and Willie asked if she did n’t know any stories. 


GALA-DAYS. 


215 


But Ada had no intention of her visitor’s wasting 
so much time upon the children. 

I want to show you my piano,” she said, and we 
will take a walk in the grounds. Uncle Edward said 
I was to entertain you.” 

“ Don’t go ’way,” pleaded Willie, holding fast her 
dress. 

Ask Miss Kathie if she will not call on us again,” 
prompted the nurse. 

“Ada won’t let her,” George appended, rather crossly. 

“ Hush, Georgie ; that is n’t nice.” 

They had a great time kissing Kathie, and begging 
her to come again. Then Ada took her down stairs 
and played for her quite a while. The music inter- 
ested Kathie very much, still she could not help 
thinking of tlie little children in the nursery. Pres- 
ently they were summoned to lunch, and afterwards 
the whole party rambled through the grounds. Mrs, 
Meredith then proposed a drive, as they would have 
just about time before the boat returned. 

Mr. Meredith came down stairs just as the girls 
were putting on their hats. “ Kathie,” he exclaimed, 
“ those little rogues in the nursery insist upon saying 
another good by to you ; will you come ? ” 


216 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


She was delighted to comply; and the children 
would have almost devoured her if Uncle Edward 
had not interfered. 

'' She will never dare venture in this lion’s den 
again,” he said, with a laugh. 

The drive was delightful. Mrs. Meredith was 
very cordial in her invitation for them to come again, 
and Ada regretted that Kathie’s stay must be so 
short. 

“I begin to have some wants,” Kathie said that 
night, sitting on Uncle llobert’s knee ; “ I ’d like to 
have a piano and quantities of nice books, and a 
pony. Ada has such a pretty one. Will my purse 
buy them all ? ” and she looked archly up in his 
face. 

“You don’t know until you test it.” 

“The visit was very pleasant,” she said to Aunt 
Euth, when they were alone ; “ but I could n’t help 
thinking that Miss Jessie makes you happy by doing 
everything your way, just as if she had asked you 
what you liked most, and Ada thinks her way is 
so much better that you ought to be pleased with it 
as a matter of course.” 

Aunt Ruth smiled. “ That is the germ of selfish- 


GALA-DAYS. 


217 


ness, Katliie, and people in Ada’s circumstances have 
many temptations to yield to it. Only by striving 
very hard can it be overcome. And since my dear 
little girl can see it, she must endeavor to strive 
against it.” 

There were several more very busy days, and at 
last Kathie tried her purse. She bouglit a set of 
books for Eob, lie having read stray ones and liked 
them very much ; and she saw a most elegant little 
locomotive with a train of cars, that, being wound up 
like a clock, ran all over the floor. That must be for 
Fred. But then in dismay she found that she had 
not money enough. Just as she laid the last piece 
on the counter there was a glitter before her eyes, 
and sure enough her store was immediately in- 
creased. 

But if I should be away from you. Uncle Eob ? ” 

“ O, it ’s part of the bargain that you always take 
me along.” 

“Now I ’d like to buy something for mamma, — a 
gray silk dress, just like Mrs. Darrell’s.” 

After quite a search they found it. Kathie 
laughed each time her purse was replenished. 

“ But you have bought nothing for yourself ! ” 

10 


218 


KATHIE S THREE WISHES. 


I believe I don’t want anything just now.” 

“ Very well,” Uncle Kobert said, a merry twinkle 
dancing in his eye a moment. 

Mr. Meredith was very sorry to part with Kathie, 
and promised to come to Brookside as soon as the new 
house was in order. Several of the ladies besides 
Mrs. Havens had taken a great fancy to her, for she 
had proved herself so sweet-tempered and engaging. 

I should be real sorry to go home if it was n’t 
for seeing mamma and Freddy and Bob, but that 
seems so delightful. And I wonder what they have 
done to the house ! Then there ’s Miss Jessie and 
Charlie, and all the girls. Yes, I believe I do want 
to go home.” 

It was royal to see them all again. Freddy near- 
ly kissed her to death, until presently Bob said, 
“ Come, Fred, give me a chance. Bemember that 
I have n’t seen Kathie for ’most a fortnight.” 

Fred opened his eyes at this, not exactly taking in 
the meaning. 

“ Dear mamma,” Kathie said, “ I ’m so glad to get 
back to you ! It has all been splendid, and I have 
seen ever so many nice people ; but you are the best 
and sweetest of them all.” 




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GALA-DAYS. 


219 


Two trunks came from New York instead of the 
one they had taken. The largest Kathie was to 
unpack herself. 

“ I tried my purse, Eoh, and here ’s what came out 
of it for you ; and 0, here is mamma’s share ! ” 

“ You might ha’ brought me something. It ’s real 
mean ” ; and Fred’s face was the picture of woe. 

“ Just wait and see.” 

She took out a large package and began tearing 
off the wTappings. Fred watched with anxious eyes. 
Kathie lifted the cars carefully out one by one, 
linked them together, and wound up the locomotive. 

‘‘ There, Fred, you can go to Boston a dozen times 
a day.” 

He capered around the room in a most delighted 
fashion and declared that Kathie was the best girl 
in the whole world. Then he ran back to give her 
a hug and a dozen kisses. 

" But what are all the rest. Uncle Eobert ? ” 
Kathie asked. 

“ Go on and see.” 

Two flat and nearly square packages, each bearing 
a card containing briefly, “ To Kathie, from E. M.” 

“0, that ’s Mr. Meredith. And — what lovely, 


220 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


lovely pictures I They are just what I liked so much 
one day when he took me to a store to see Little 
Eed Kiding-Hood. Did you know it, Uncle Eob ? ” 

He laughed a little. 

“ And here ’s something from Mrs. Havens. Mam- 
ma, she used to know papa, and has seen you. She 
was so sweet and pleasant to me.” 

A very curious Japanese work-box and carved 
sandal- wood fan. Kathie glanced first at these and 
then at her beautiful chromo-lithographs. They 
were all such a great surprise to her. Mr. Mere- 
dith would have enjoyed it very much. 

Then in the bottom of the trunk were several new 
dresses Uncle Eobert had bought her, — dainty printed 
pique, and two white ones. 

And what did you buy for yourself out of your 
wonderful purse ? ” asked Eob. 

“ 0, nothing at all, and I don’t think I needed any- 
thing.” 

As Kathie glanced up she met Uncle Eobert’s 
eyes. There was something in them that touched 
her deeply, a kind of approval and a];)preciation that 
told her he loved her better for her unconsciousness 
of self. 


GALA-DAYS. 


221 


Kathie found lierself quite a heroine at school. 
That she had stayed nearly two weeks at a hotel on 
Broadway gave her a wonderful prestige. There 
would have been great danger to her self-esteem if 
she had not thought constantly of the temptations in 
the way. 

What a splendid uncle you have ! ” Lottie Thorne 
admitted. 

“And that I should think him something dread- 
full ” said Lucy Gardiner, penitently. 

“ He is a real prince, and every night and morning 
I give thanks to God for sending him home,” was 
Kathie’s response. 


222 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


CHAPTEE XIV. 

HOME. 

Eob and Freddy never tired of hearing about 
Kathie’s trip to the city. The Museum, Central 
Park, High Bridge, and the rides in cars and omni- 
buses, always had a fresh interest for them. The 
old women who sold apples, the boys hawking papers, 
and the great markets, lost none of their charm or 
quaintness, for Kathie possessed quite graphic powers 
of description. 

In the mean while the new house progressed 
rapidly. The papering was very handsome, and the 
painters added their skill. The grounds were cleared, 
and a rustic summer-house was commenced for Ka- 
thie. The place presented a very different aspect 
from what it did six weeks before. 

Kathie had taken Uncle Eobert to call upon Miss 
Jessie, and made him acquainted with the whole 
family. Their admiration was mutual, and Charlie 
declared that Eob was a lucky boy to have such an 


HOME. 


223 


uncle fall from the clouds. He was delighted to hear 
some of his adventures. 

“ Kathie is n’t a bit proud,” he said to Jessie after 
they had gone. “ She does n’t seem to feel any 
grander than before.” 

“ I think little Kathie Alston in poverty, trying to 
render her mother’s burdens lighter and make every 
one around her happy, was as grand as any royal 
princess. I rejoice warmly in her good fortune, for 
no one ever deserved it more, and she will improve 
it wisely, I have no doubt.” 

Just at the edge of the grounds stood a small 
cottage that had been rented out to some rather un- 
comfortable tenants. Uncle Eobert had the place 
vacated and put in order. 

“ Now we must have a man living here who can 
attend to the garden and look after all little matters. 
Kathie, do you know of any one among your poor 
folks ? ” 

For Kathie somehow found out a great deal about 
poor and sick people. She could n’t do much to- 
wards relieving them, it was true, until she came in 
possession of her wonderful purse, and that had been 
called upon quite often. 


224 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


It ’s SO nice to surprise people and make them 
very hajjpy,” she said to Uncle Eobert one day. ‘"It 
seems almost like being a fairy.” 

And when he applied to her now she thought a 
little while. 

“ There are several real old people, but we want 
some one to work as well, — don’t we ? ” she asked. 

“ Yes ; we cannot have them quite for ornament.” 

0 Uncle Eobert, I know of some one,” she ex- 
claimed presently, “and he is n’t very old either. 
He was hurt in the mill last summer, and is a little- 
lame. When mamma did n’t want to take in sewing 
any more, she recommended his wife to Mrs. Gray- 
son and several other ladies. They have two little 
children. Suppose we see what Aunt Euth tliinks of 
it?” 

They were walking home when this conversation 
occurred, so they entered the little parlor where 
Aunt Euth sat reading. She had plenty of leisure 
now. 

Kathie began at once, for when she espoused a 
cause she was a very warm partisan. 

Aunt Euth said, “ Mrs. Morrison has been in this 
afternoon, and she feels quite discouraged, for her 


HOME. 


225 


husband had a promise of being employed at the mill 
again, but just now business is dull, and tliey cannot 
take him until in the fall. If we could do that for 
him I should be very glad. Hugh Morrison has been 
a good son to his poor old mother, who now feels 
herself a sad burden on them in their straitened cir- 
cumstances.” 

“ Could n’t we go and caU upon them ? ” asked 
Uncle Eobert. 

0 yes ” ; and Kathie started up with alacrity. 

“ You will be sure to see Mr. Morrison now,” said 
Aunt Euth. 

So they started, and after a short walk came to 
what was called the tenement-houses, a row of rather 
dilapidated buildings. After being sick half the 
winter, Mr. Morrison had found retrenchment abso- 
lutely necessary, and they had moved hither because 
the rents were lower. 

Kathie walked in and introduced her Uncle 
Eobert very gracefully. Old Mrs. Morrison, white- 
haired and placid -looking, sat in a large rocking- 
chair with a year-old baby on her knee, while a little 
boy stood beside his father, who was repairing the 
clock. 


226 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


Uncle Eobert began a pleasant conversation, and 
gradually led the way to business. He found Mr. 
Morrison an intelligent, practical man, and was very 
well satisfied with him. Everything about the house 
looked clean and orderly, though it was plain. 

“ A man with a family does n’t have much chance 
to get forehanded,” Mr. Morrison was saying. 
'"Wages are low^, and every week lost in the dull 
season counts. Sometimes I ’ve thought of going to 
the West ; but it ’s a hard thing to get started.” 

" I believe my niece has an offer to make you, 
Mr. Morrison, and it may be as advantageous as 
trying your fortune elsewhere,” Mr. Conover made 
answer. 

“0 Uncle Eobert, it is n’t really mine. I only 
said — ” and Kathie paused, blushing deeply. 

" Well, you may say it over again ” ; and he 
smiled, encouragingly. 

" It ’s to come and live in the gardener’s cottage 
at our new house,” Kathie said, hurriedly, seeing 
that she was expected to speak. 

"We want a lodge-keeper and gardener, some one 
who will look after the place, and since you were 
brought up on a farm I think you might do very 


HOME. 


.227 


well. Kathie mentioned you when I was making 
some inquiries.” 

0 Miss Kathie, I ’m so grateful to you ! ” and a 
quick tear sprang to Mr. Morrison’s eye. “ It ’s 
just what I would like above all things. I ’ll try 
never to make you regret your good word. And 
Mary will be overjoyed. I wish she was at home.” 

“ I ’d like you to come as soon as you can. We 
expect to take possession in the course of a fort- 
night, and it seems quite difficult to get all the 
help we want, — of the right kind. The house is 
all ready to be occupied.” 

“ Indeed, sir, I could come right away. Though 
we have paid our rent here in advance, that will 
not be much of an object.” 

Mr. Conover stated the terms he had thought of 
offering. To Mr. Morrison they appeared generous. 

“ You can come over to-morrow and see how 
you like it. I shall be there nearly all day.” 

“I don’t know how to thank you, but I shall 
do my best to deserve your favor.” 

“We owe much of our good fortune to Miss 
Kathie, I ’m sure,” said grandmother, in a tremu- 
lous voice. “ The Lord bless you, child, for caring 


228 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


for the poor and needy. I ’m sure I rejoice in your 
prosperity.” 

“ It ’s so nice to be able to do these things ! ” Ka- 
thie exclaimed, clasping Uncle Eobert’s hand as they 
walked slowly homeward. ‘‘Mamma once said the 
fairies did n’t all live in palaces.” 

“ No, for I found one in a very humble cottage ; 
but I shall transport her to the best at my com- 
mand.” 

Kathie laughed gayly. 

A few days after Mr. Morrison removed liis family 
to the pretty little house awaiting them. Mrs. Mor- 
rison had to come and express her thanks in person. 

“ It was a perfect godsend to us. Poor Hugh 
was getting so discouraged. 0 Mrs. Alston, it is 
n’t every one who in prosperity remembers the poor. 
You ought to be proud indeed of Miss Kathie.” 

“ I am thankful to God for her, which is better,” 
Mrs. Alston returned, with a sweet smile. 

The carpets came down, and were soon fitted to 
their respective places. Kathie thought them love- 
lier than ever. Then quantities of furniture, until 
slie almost wondered if they would ever find a 
place for it all. 


HOME. 


229 


Latterly she had not gone to school, as it was so 
near vacation, and Uncle Kobert was very food of 
having her for a companion. She was delighted 
now in watching the completion of their plans. 

Aunt Euth’s room looked lovely. Katliie kept 
admiring every new article that was brouglit into 
it, and when the pictures came to be hung she 
declared it perfect. 

Have n’t you any curiosity to see yours ? ” 
Uncle Eobert asked. 

" Is it done yet ? ” 

“ Finished yesterday afternoon. Shall I conduct 
you to your realm of enchantment ? ” 

“ Oh ! ” and Kathie sprang up eagerly. 

Two steps at a time they went, laughing gayly 
Uncle Eobert took the key out of his pocket. 

Open sesame ! ” 

It was like e fairy palace ! The daintiest flowere(^ 
carpet, and a set of elegant enamelled furniture done 
in a tint of exquisite pearl, with lovely ornamentation. 
The bureau was broad and low, the mirror showing 
her more than half of herself, the shining golden 
curls and happy, beaming face. There was the white 
bed opposite, a little table with its vase of flowers, a 


230 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


low rocking-chair, and a pretty red and white willow 
workstand. And there, best of all, over the low 
mantel hung a picture of Uncle Eobert. Kathie 
clasped her arms around his neck. 

0 Uncle Eobert ! ” and her voice trembled with 
emotion. “You are the best and dearest uncle in 
the world. And I ’m so glad to have you ! ” 

He kissed the rosy face many times. She was 
very dear indeed to him. 

“ It is so very beautiful,” she exclaimed, when she 
could command her voice. “And I am very glad 
about the picture. I shall always think whose 
generous hand bestowed all these blessings. If I 
could only do something in return.” 

“ You can repay me for everything, Kathie, my 
darling. To see you growing into a noble and pure- 
hearted woman, intent upon making the world a 
little better for her presence, will make me feel that 
I have not placed all these blessings in your wa,y 
vainly. The reward is not simply in being grateful 
to me, but in sharing your happiness with others, in 
proving a good daughter and sister, and a kind 
friend.” 

“ I am sometimes afraid that I never can be good 


HOME. 


231 


enough, Uncle Eobert,” Kathie answered, seri- 
ously. 

“ I can trust you while you keep so near to 
humility,” he said, in an encouraging tone. 

“ I feel like the Pilgrims when they reached the 
Palace Beautiful,” she returned, with a sweet smile. 

And the giants, — are they all dead ? ” 

“ I don’t know. I ’m so happy ^that nothing 
seems to trouble me. I wonder if it is quite right.” 

Yes,” he said, gayly. God means that we shall 
have some hours of satisfaction and content, es- 
pecially in childhood. I want you to enjoy life now. 
With years always come added cares.” 

Her two gifts from Mr. Meredith had been nicely 
hung. Indeed, it seemed as if nothing was wanting. 

“ In a few days we shall be ready for our removal,” 
Uncle Eobert said. “ To-morrow mamma is to come 
over and unpack the dishes and settle the little odds 
and ends. As soon as the smell of paint is aired out 
Aunt Euth can take up her abode. There will be a 
great deal to do afterward with the grounds and 
fences, but it wiU be pleasant to watch the improve- 
ments from our windows.” 

So they locked up the enchanted palace and walked 


232 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


slowly down the broad, shady avenue. Grand- 
mother Morrison stood out by the door of her little 
cottage. Hugh had improved it a great deal already. 
The straggling shrubbery had been trimmed, the 
grass cut short, and the falling vines trained over the 
lattice. 

“ Come in and see how we look. Miss Kathie,” 
grandmother said, with an old-fashioned courtesy. 

Kathie thought her cap and apron were even 
whiter than snow. 

They walked into the cheerful room. Mrs. Morri- 
son sprang up and placed some chairs for them. 
Jamie was dragging a wooden horse on wheels, 
and his little sister, wlio sat on the floor, clapped 
her hands and crowed, and occasionally delivered 
a speech in baby dialect. 

Are you feeling at home ?” Uncle Eobert asked. 

“ 0 yes, wonderfully so,” returned Mrs. Morrison. 
“ I tell Hugh that we can never be grateful enough 
for our good fortune. I don’t know what we should 
have done, and I hope that he will please you ; I 
know he will try to do his best.” 

Kathie and I are not very unreasonable people, 
he answered, smilingly. 


HOME. 


233 


^Irs. Morrison insisted that they should have a 
saucer of berries and cream, and then grandmother 
wanted her to go through the house. It looked 
so cosey and pretty, with a quaint, old-fashioned air, 
for much of the furniture had been the old lady’s 
when she first went to housekeeping. In the tall 
China vases, standing on the parlor mantel, there 
were some fragrant roses that perfumed the room, 
and great long sprays of honeysuckle. 

“ I hope you ’ll be just as happy in your own 
house,” she said, laying her hand on Kathie’s shoul- 
der. If you begin by remembering the poor and 
distressed, God will not be likely to turn his face 
from you ; and I wish you a long, happy life.” 

“ Thank you,” Kathie said, in a low tone, yet her 
smooth brow was rather thoughtful. It did not 
seem hardly right for her to have so much credit 
when Uncle Eobert was the true agent, the gem 
erous prince. 

Mrs. Alston and Kathie were over to the ne^ 
house all of the following day, placing furniture and 
dishes in order. The boys were to come after school, 
and there was no lagging behind, you may be sura 
Uncle Eobert had kept the doors locked most of the 


234 


KATHIE’S THEEE WISHES. 


time, though Eob and Freddy thought it rather 
unjust that Kathie should be indulged in such an 
unlimited manner, while they “ could n’t have any- 
thing, or go anywhere ! ” 

Now they were wild with delight, and ran in and 
out of every room, each “ Oh ! ” growing larger and 
louder. After they had explored the lower rooms, 
they made a grand rush for their own. They were 
to reign undisputed over the third story, as the 
servants’ rooms were in the part built as an ex- 
tension. 

There was a large apartment, with a bed for each, 
if they chose, and a roomy closet also, to save cause 
for dispute ; beyond, two smaller play-rooms. Eob’s 
had shelves for books, brackets for numerous uses, 
such as boys only can discover ; and in one corner a 
neat little work-bench with a box of tools. 

“Now, Freddy,” said Uncle Eobert, “you must 
never touch an article in here unless Eob gives 
you permission. You must learn to remember this, 
though I expect it will come quite hard at first.” 

“ And Eob must not take anything of mine,” re- 
turned the little fellow, with much importance. 

“ No, not without leave. I want you to be kind 


HOME. 


235 


and obliging to one another, and to pay just as much 
respect to each other’s belongings as you would to 
mine ; and, Eob, you must keep all dangerous tools 
locked up for fear of an accident.” 

Here was Freddy’s domain. There was but one 
thing in it now, — a huge rocking-horse. Fred made 
an immediate plunge. 

“ He ’s a beauty, now, I tell you ! and real stir- 
rups ! ” Fred opened his mouth and drew in a long 
breath of amazement. 

“ Now this is your play-room, Freddy, and you 
must kQep all your traps up here. I believe I shall 
confiscate all the articles I find going astray, — have 
a sort of a pound.” 

Eob laughed heartily. " I don’t believe you ’ll get 
many of mine,” he said. ‘‘I’ve never had a real good 
place for odds and ends, but now you shall see how 
I ’U keep them in order.” 

Uncle Eobert gave a mirthful smile out of the 
corners of his eyes. 

“ He ’s Firefly,” announced Freddy, patting his 
horse’s real mane. “ And you must n’t ’pound him. 
Uncle Eobert.” 

“Then you must not let him run away, and go 


236 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


galloping over the liouse ” ; and Uncle Robert made a 
tlireatening gesture. 

“ It ’s all royal/’ declared Rob. " I don’t see how 
you could think of so many things that boys need. 
And here ’s the sky-parlor ! Hurrah ! ” and Rob 
made a rush up the steps to the observatory. 

“ Won’t we have fun ! ” shouted Freddy, trudging 
after him, red in the face and out of breath with his 
efforts to mount Firefly. 

Children,” said their mother, “ Uncle Robert will 
think he ’s in Bedlam.” 

“We must have some place to make a* noise,” 
returned Rob, who felt very much like breaking out 
into an Indian dance with full accompaniment of war- 
whoops. “ And when a fellow gets brimful — ” 

“We shall have to be indulgent,” said Uncle 
Robert, good-naturedly. 

“ It ’s just magnificent * If you ’d had Aladdin’s 
lamp you could n’t have done any better. Uncle Rob- 
ert ! And now when are we coming to live here ? ” 

“ To-morrow, I think.” 

Rob threw up his cap. Freddy followed suit, but 
his hat being straw, a whiff of wind took it, and away 
it floated over the observatory railing. 


HOME. 


237 


"Bad for your enthusiasm,” said Uncle Eobert, 
laughingly ; " but I guess we shall find it on the roof 
as we go down.” 

" I ’ll take a little ride on Firefly,” was Freddy’s 
philosophical announcement; and he mounted his 
steed while the rest returned to the lower floor, Eob 
enjoying the fun of climbing out of the window for 
the missing hat. 

Presently they all went back. "What a forlorn 
little place ! ” ejaculated Eob, cutting off the top of a 
hollyhock with a little switcli he had picked up else- 
where. " To think that we have lived in it so many 
years ! ” and he gave a disdainful glance around. 

" But it ’s been real nice,” said Kathie. " I shall 
always remember two such delightful events.” 

" What ? ” asked Eob. He could think of nothing 
but bringing coal and water, splitting kindlings, and 
working in the garden when he wanted to go fishing. 

“ Miss Jessie’s staying to tea, and dear Uncle 
Eobert’s coming home. And then the first day she 
took Aunt Euth sleigh-riding, and 0, ever so many 
pleasant things ! ” 

" But the new house for me, say I ! ” 

Kathie looked thoughtful. She did anticipate a 


238 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


great deal of happiness in the future, but somehow 
the memories of the last six months were very dear 
and sweet to her. It seemed to her that she was n’t 
quite the same little Kathie who had found a few 
gifts on the kitchen mantel in the early dawn of 
Christmas morning. She used to think it very hard 
to have to stay in and sew when other girls ran out 
to play, to wear shabby boots, and dresses that were 
faded and mended, and never have any money to 
spend. Did she really deserve all these blessings ? ” 

She prayed softly that God would not let her 
go astray, and that she might be a comfort to 
them aU. 

The next morning there was some packing, though 
Mrs. Alston had decided to keep only a few things 
that were endeared to her by old and pleasant as- 
sociations. The remainder were to be sold at auction, 
and the house also was to pass into new hands. 

They took Aunt Euth in a carriage, and then 
Uncle Eobert insisted upon carrying her up and 
down stairs in order to have her see every room. 
Her joy and gratitude were very touching. Even 
in the old prosperous days they had not been quite 
so elegant. Her own apartment suited her to a charm. 


HOME. 


239 


“ I am so glad you chose crimson,” she said. “ It 
has such a warm, cosey look in winter.” 

“ She ’s like Fred,” said Eob, laughing, — " making 
arrangements for winter. Why, it will he midsum- 
mer first ! ” 

“ True enough ! Well, Eob, here ’s the lovely 
lake looking cool and shady. The view from this 
bay-window is charming. Altogether I feel like 
Kathie, — as if I were in fairy-land.” 

“And now I have one of my wishes,” said the 
child, with a bright smile. “ If I can only have 
the next ; but I shall not know what to ask for 
the third.” 

“ It is one of the fortunate dispensations of 
Providence that our wishes shall always increase,” 
said Uncle Eobert, with a mirthful expression. 

“ Kathie is n’t a fair sample,” continued Eob. 
“ She does if t empty her purse, nor do any of the 
things that I would like.” 

“ When I make my next fortune, Eob, I shall sure- 
ly have to take you into partnership,” said his uncle. 

It seemed so odd to have supper in that long 
dining-room, where the sideboard was ornamented 
with choice glasses and lovely bouquets, and the 


240 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


bright pictures hanging on the walls made it look 
like giving a party, Fred said. 

I think we ought to have a house-warming ; 
is n’t that what people call it ? ” Eob exclaimed. 

“And I too,” declared his uncle. “We must 
christen our own abode. Kathie, we will send for 
Mr. Meredith and have a gay time.” 

“ 0 Uncle Eobert, you always do plan such 
delightful things ! ” and Kathie’s face was in a glow 
of pleasure. 

“ We will write to-morrow, and ask him to spend 
a week or two with us, and while he is here we 
will give the party.” 

“ Whom shall we ask ? ” said Eob, alive with 
interest. “ I ’d like to have some boys.” 

“ How odd ! Now Kathie and I would be better 
pleased with girls.” 

“ A girls’ party ! Why, it would n’t be any fun 
at all ! ” and Eob was going into the scarlet hues 
of indignation when a merry twinkle in his uncle’s 
eye caused him to pause and feel rather abashed. 

“ Yes, have some girls,” said Freddy. “ Can’t 
Miss Jessie come, and, 0 Unde Eobert, if you 
would only buy me a parrot ! ” 


HOME. 


241 


At this there was a general laugh. 

“Well, we will have hoys and girls and grown 
people. I don’t know as parrots would he considered 
an addition ” ; and Uncle Eobert looked very grave. 

Freddy did n’t exactly see the point, but just then 
the dessert was brought in, and both party and 
parrot were secondary considerations. 

They took a turn out on the lawn afterward, and 
though Freddy begged very hard to sit up, they soon 
found him curled into a little ball in tlie corner, and 
mamma took him to bed. But Kathie had a nice 
long talk with Uncle Eobert. 

“ I seem to be out visiting in some grand place,” 
Kathie said, in her soft, sweet voice. “ Dear mamma, 
can we ever be thankful enough ? We must spend 
half our time trying to make Uncle Eobert hap- 

py” 

“ And it ’s going on to midnight, my fairy queen,” 
he said, kissing her, deeply touched with her tendei\ 
girlish thought. “ If you are a princess of the true 
blood, you will feel the three grains of sand under 
your fourteen feather-beds.” 

Kathie laughed gayly at that. “Only I believe 
it was peas or pebble-stones,” she corrected. 


11 


242 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


So Aunt Euth was carried up, and Ka thie had to 
take another survey of the rooms. Mrs. Alston 
thought it best for Aunt Euth to share hers, as be- 
fore. A door opened into Kathie’s chamber, but it 
looked so lovely, she said, that she was almost afraid 
to try it. 

She wondered if it was wicked to have her head 
so bewildered with a crowd of thoughts, but she did 
try to feel very thankful. How delightful it would 
be to ask some of the girls to stay all night with her, 
and she resolved always to love the poorer ones as 
well as those who were rich ! Everybody had been 
so good and kind to her ! 

She did n’t feel a bit sleepy, and after the lights 
were put out she lay with her eyes wide open, 
remembering just how everything looked. There 
was her bureau with its ground-glass scent-bottles, 
the washstand with its china basin and ewer with 
dainty ornamentations in gold and green, and her 
beautiful pictures, — Uncle Eobert, whose merry eyes 
were the least bit drowsy in the dark, and — a 
long, dreamy pause. 


A HOUSE-WARMING. 


243 


CHAPTER XV. 

A HOUSE-WARMING. 

There was a great shout at the door, and Kathie 
rubbed her eyes, very certain that she had gone to 
bed only five minutes before. 

Come ! ” exclaimed Rob. "We Ve been all over 
the place and it ’s splendid ! And breakfast is 
ready ! ” 

There was the sun, sure enough ! And 0, how 
lovely everything was on this summer morning ! 
She dressed herself and went down stairs, and found 
her mother and Aunt Ruth looking as much at home 
as if they had lived in a palace all their lives. 
Kathie kissed them both, and then Uncle Robert, 
who held the dear little face close to his own many 
seconds. 

" Why did n’t you call me sooner ? ” she asked. “ I 
did not think it was so late ; indeed, I did n’t know 
that I had been asleep until Rob woke me. Every- 
thing appeared so strange last night.” 


244 


KATHIE’S THEEE WISHES. 


“You are not homesick for the old place?” said 
her uncle. 

“ Homesick ! ” ejaculated Eob, disdainfully. 

Hannah brought in the breakfast, and they soon 
settled themselves. 

“ I wish I did n’t have to go to school,” said Eob. 
“ It ’s so near vacation.” 

“ And then you will have six weeks,” responded 
his mother. “ It is hardly worth while to antici- 
pate.” 

“ But Kathie ’s having a good time.” 

“ Eob, I have n’t played as much as when I went 
to school,” Kathie said. 

“ But you can do as you like ! I just wish — ” 

“Eob,” said his mother, “are you the first to 
express dissatisfaction ? ” 

There was an odd little look in Kathie’s eyes. Eob 
colored, and was serious for a moment. 

“ Giants even here,” he said, with a laugh. “ You 
will not hear another word out of me about that, if 
school should last a month.” 

“ Good,” said his uncle, approvingly. “ Play has 
not half the charm when it becomes steady com- 
pany.” 


A HOUSE-WARMING. 


245 


“ I Ve never been tired of it. But, Uncle Eobert, 
what about the sail-boat ? ” 

“ 0, not a sail-boat ! ” exclaimed Mrs. Alston, en- 
treatingly, her face shadowed witli apprehension. 

“ I have decided not to get the boat this summer, 
Eob. There is another thing that I think will please 
you equally as well.” • 

What ? ” 

“ Let me give you a surprise ” ; and Uncle Eobert 
nodded comically. 

So Eob gathered up his books and went off to 
school without another word, trying to imagine that 
he was quite a hero, and wondering with all his 
energy what the new gift would be. He wanted 
a gun and a horse, but mamma would object to 
the gun, of course, women always were so timid. 
Just wait until he was a man ! 

Kathie and her uncle wrote a note to Mr. Mere- 
dith after breakfast, then they took a tour around 
the grounds to inspect some newly begun improve- 
ments. The house fronted the east, with perhaps 
a hundred feet of ground between that and the 
street, and at the south it sloped down to the, lake. 
The trees had been thinned out, leaving just enough 


246 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


for shade. Kathie’s summer-house was to be here, 
and at the edge they were to have a boat and bathing 
house, and a little dock built out, as the shore was 
very shallow. 

“ I never supposed it would look so pretty,” Kathie 
said, glancing around. “ And it ’s not a bit dreary 
or lonesome. You 11 never go away again. Uncle 
Eobert.” 

"‘No, if it please God,” he said, with tender 
gravity. 

They were some days in getting used to their new 
abode. Mrs. Alston desired to live as simply as possi- 
ble, for she was a quiet, retiring woman, and had 
seen the folly of great display in many cases when 
she was younger. She wanted her children to be 
trained in good and useful habits, and she knew how 
easy it was to glide into extravagance. They musf 
not tax Uncle Eobert’s kindness too largely. 

The boys ran wild, and made dozens of new dis- 
coveries every day, — birds’ nests, squirrels’ holes, 
hollow trees, and all kinds of marvellous places. 
Charlie Darrell was delighted beyond measure, and 
came over every day. 

The neighbors around were not tardy in calling 


A HOUSE-WARMING. 


247 


upon them. Some, of course, were sincere friends, 
but there were others who had scarcely noticed them 
when they were poor. 

“ A little money ought not to make so much differ- 
ence,” said Kathie, thoughtfully, as she was walking 
up and down the lawn with Uncle Eobert. “We 
were just as good before.” 

“Yes,” Uncle Robert returned, with a slow, quaint 
smile. “ My little girl, this is a difficult subject to 
understand in all -its bearings. I think there are 
many noble people in the world who value another 
according to his or her worth, and yet it would not 
always be pleasant to invite them to one’s house. 
When you are older this matter will appear clearer 
to you. A really refined and well-bred person would 
hesitate to go anywhere and make a shabby appear- 
ance ; and poor people cannot always dress as they 
would like. I think Mrs. Grayson has admired your 
mamma very much ; but suppose she had invited her 
to a large party last winter ? ” 

“ 0, mamma would not have gone ! ” 

“Your mamma’s good sense would not have al- 
lowed such a step ; but there are some poor people 
who would have run in debt for a fine dress, and have 


248 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


spent a miserable evening in trying to appear of 
much more consequence than they really were. 
These usages of society are, in tliemselves, wise and 
proper, and it is only in the hands of selfish and 
underbred people that they are employed as a means 
of pain. You can see that Mr. and Mrs. Morrison 
would feel out of place in our social gatherings.” 

“ I believe I understand that ” ; and Kathie smiled 
readily, though the puzzled look was not all out of 
her face. 

“ It is much wiser and kinder to render people 
happy in their own sphere than, from an ill-judged 
generosity, to take them out of it occasionally and 
then thrust them back.” 

But if we have a party, ought n’t I to ask 'the 
poor girls as well as those wdio are rich ? ” 

“ Will you ask every one in school ? ” 

“ No,” returned Kathie, after a pause ; there are 
some rude, rough girls that I never play with.” 

Your judgment will teach you whom to invite, I 
think ; and, Kathie, the great thing with all true men 
and women is a noble, useful life. This can only 
proceed from a generous, well-regulated soul. Now 
when Mr. Meredith comes to look at our house we 


A HOUSE-WARMING. 


249 


shall not expect him to examine the foundation- 
stones, the timber, the thickness of the walls, and 
inspect the quality of our wall-paper, — shall we ? ” 
« Why, no ” ; and she laughed at the ridiculous 
idea. 

“ He will judge it altogether, and if it has a pleas- 
ant, harmoiiious effect, he will enjoy it. Just so it is 
with character. We never expect to tell people how 
bad our tempers were, and what hard work we had to 
make them better, — that we were very vain, and 
had striven against it, and the many faults that 
continually beset poor human nature ? And yet it is 
these small, unseen things that improve us, — this 
constant, daily work. If the painters had neglected 
one side of our house, or put on some other color, it 
would be very quickly remarked.” 

“ Indeed, it would ” ; and Kathie laughed. 

“ So glaring faults are very easily observed ; and, 
on the other hand, pretty, engaging manners are as 
much admired. You sometimes like people without 
being able to explain why, — do you not ? ” 

“ O yes ! ' — Miss J essie for one.” 

“Miss Jessie is pleasant, refined, and possesses true 
appreciation. She never carries about with her an 
11 * 


250 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


obtrusive sense of education or dress. I am glad that 
you have chanced upon such a friend, although you 
are a little girl ; and she is one of the persons who 
look for something beside wealth and show. Am 
I preaching you too much of a sermon ? ” 

“ 0 no, I like to hear you talk,” Kathie said, 
simply. 

“ I will only add that if you had been a noisy, 
ill-mannered child, I should not have enjoyed taking 
you to New York, and I doubt if even the fortune 
would have gained you many admirers.” 

Kathie felt that this was true. It had not been 
simply because she was rich that Mrs. Havens and 
Mr. Meredith had taken such pains to entertain her. 
A child with less humility than Kathie miglit have 
felt secretly elated ; but as she gave Uncle Kobert’s 
hand a fond squeeze she hoped inwardly that she 
would always be able to please and satisfy the friends 
who had been so kind. 

A few days after this Mr. Meredith made his ap- 
pearance at Brookside. He was delighted with the 
house and its surroundings, and most glad to see 
Kathie. But, joy of all, he had brought with him 
twa elegant ponies that Uncle Eobert had ordered, — ■ 


A HOUSE-WARMING. 


251 


sleek and shining creatures with beautiful manes and 
great gentle-looking eyes. One had a white star in 
his forehead. 

“ For the present,” Uncle Eohert said, “ one pony 
is to he Kathie’s and the other Eob’s. Kathie will 
be generous with hers, I know, and I want Eob to be 
manly and obliging. The first one who acts selfishly 
forfeits the pony.” 

“ Can I choose ? ” asked Eob, with his eyes full of 
anxiety, and a little tremor in his voice. 

“ You are the eldest,” said Kathie. 

Well, Eob, which is it then ? ” 

Eob hesitated somewhat. He thought he ought to 
be generous, hut it was very hard to give up his 
favorite, and perhaps Kathie did n’t really care. So 
he flushed and looked boyishly embarrassed. 

“ I think this one is the prettiest,” he said. “ I 
like this white mark, and if I had him I should call 
him Star.” 

“ Then you shall have him,” replied Kathie. 

You don’t want him ? ” asked Eob, slowly. 

It will not make any difference to me, and the 
other looks the most gentle. What shall we call 
him, Mr. Meredith ? ” 


252 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


“ I believe this one is named Hero.” 

‘‘ 0, I like that, so I shall not change it.” 

Eob could hardly forbear giving his horse a raptur- 
ous hug. Just one more week of school, and then — 
hurrah ! ” 

“ Why, Eob ! ” exclaimed his uncle, surprised at 
the pirouette. 

“ I was thinking of something ” ; and Eob ran away 
quite red in the face. 

On the next morning there came a pretty low 
pony-carriage and two saddles. 

“ It will be so delightful to take Aunt Euth out,” 
Kathie exclaimed, joyously. “ Can I learn to 
drive ? ” 

“ I am at your service for the first lesson,” said Mr. 
Meredith. Will you ride or drive ? ” 

“ She will need a dress for riding,” announced 
mamma, “ and it will take a few days to get that 
ready.” 

Freddy shed some tears over the fact that his was 
n’t a real live pony. 

“ You are rather small to manage one,” said Uncle 
Eobert, soothingly, “ but one of these days you ’ll 
grow as large as Eob.” 


A HOUSE-WARMING. 


253 


That was quite comforting. 

Katliie was a little timid, it must be confessed. 
The horses were very gentle creatuies and well 
trained, and Mr. Meredith was the most patient of 
instructors. 

On the way they passed Lottie Thorne, wlio had 
gone of an errand, and so was not in school. 

I suppose Kathie Alston feels very grand,” she 
said, in an envious tone, as she was telling the in- 
cident. “ A handsome young gentleman too, that 
I never saw before. Girls, she will outshine us 
all!” 

“ 0, it ’s her pony,” exclaimed Mary Cox. “ Eob 
told us all about it; they each have one.” 

“ It’s so charming to put on airs when people have 
been poor as — as — ” But Lottie hardly dared make 
the comparison in her mind.” 

Kathie never did put on airs, and will not now,” 
Mary declared, brave little champion that she was. 
“ I ’m sure that I ’d rather Kathie Alston would have 
a fortune than any other girl in the world.” 

Poor Lottie was forced to keep silence, but she 
made herself very miserable over the ponies. Her 
father kept two horses, but he would as soon think of 


254 


KATHIE’S TfiftEE WISHES. 


sending her up in a balloon as allowing her to try to 
drive. 

Eob had his indulgence in the afternoon. He had 
ridden more than one old nag bareback, and so he 
quite plumed himself upon his skiU. 

They began to plan about their party, and had 
great fun in choosing a name for the new house. 
Eob’s taste ran to the extravagant. Finally the con- 
test was narrowed to two, — Silver Lake Cottage and 
Cedarwood. At the north stood a beautiful grove of 
cedars, which made the latter very appropriate. 

Kathie proposed that they should go and call upon 
Miss Jessie and ask her opinion. Mr. Meredith was 
quite charmed with the young lady, and the sweet 
old grandmother also. 

Miss Jessie declared in favor of Cedarwood. She 
and Mr. Meredith had a gay chat and a walk through 
the garden, greatly to Kathie’s delight, for she was an 
ardent admirer of both. 

After that they were much taken up with prepara- 
tions for the party. Eob’s vacation came at lasL 
and he could hardly contain himself. Mrs. Alston 
felt sometimes as if he was getting quite beyond her 
jurisdiction, and he had always been rather boisterous 
and headstrong. 


A HOUSE-WARMING. 


255 


We will take him in hand presently,” said his 
uncle. “ Through the winter I shall have more time 
to devote to him, and then part of the excitement will 
have subsided. He has the foundation for a fine inan 
in him, I think.” 

But I sometimes feel like Kathie, that we give 
you a great deal of trouble and can do but little for 
you,” she said with a sad, sweet smile. 

“And I am glad to take the trouble. The old 
selfisli, ease-loving years of my life have passed for- 
ever. In God’s good providence I have become useful 
at last.” 

The lawn and shrubbery were to be decorated with 
colored lanterns, although there would be a moon. A 
band of music was engaged, and there was to be a 
bountiful supper with an abundance of ices. They 
had a great time making out lists of invitations. 
Kathie’s generous heart would have taken in nearly 
all Brookside. 

She thought, when the evening arrived, that she 
had never dreamed of anything so beautiful. But 
when she came down stairs dressed in simplest white 
Kob felt immensely disappointed. 

“ I ’d have put on the very handsomest thing I 


256 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES, 


had,” he said, decisively. “ I ’d show Lottie Thorne 
and some of the rest what I could do.” 

“N’o, Kathie is just right,” said Mr. Meredith. 

There is nothing in the world as attractive as a 
sweet face and a simple, unselfisli heart.” 

It was a splendid night, and the guests soon began 
to arrive. Troops of girls and boys, and not a few 
older people, for there was a very general feeling in 
Brookside that the Alstons fully deserved their good 
fortune. Mr. Meredith and Uncle Kobert proved 
most charming hosts. 

The girls had to go up and see Kathie’s room. 
Did she really have a pony of her own, and just as 
much money as she could spend ? and was she going 
to boarding-school, or would she have a governess at 
home, and a piano, and — ” 

Kathie laughed merrily. “ I don’t know what I 
am going to do,” she said, '' and I have a Fortunatus’s 
purse with just one piece of gold in it, but when 1 
spend that another always comes. It ’s real fun.” 

What a gay, delightful evening they had ! Eun- 
ning hither and thither, looking at everything and 
finding no end of wonders. There were })lays with- 
out number, and some dancing on the lawn, and the 


A HOUSE-WARMING. 


257 


music sounded most bewitching as it floated through 
the trees. Everybody declared that there never had 
been such a time before. I think Eob was excusa- 
ble if he did show off a little to some of the girls 
who had amused themselves by teasing Kathie. 

Mr. Meredith and Miss Jessie watched the little 
girl as she flitted from one to another, paying the 
most attention to those who were poorly dressed or 
felt embarrassed by the crowd. She brought Lucy 
and Annie Gardiner to lier uncle, though they were 
a trifle shy at first, but they afterward pronounced 
him “ just splendid.” 

Then they were summoned to supper. The table 
was most beautifully arranged, and though the re- 
freshments were abundant, they were in no wise ex- 
travagant, — a point that Mrs. Alston had strongly 
insisted upon. 

Toward the close of the feast Mr. Meredith an- 
nounced to them that they had assembled for a more 
momentous purpose than mere amusement. This 
pretty abode was to be christened, but first he desired 
to tell them a story, an odd little history of a dainty 
fairy whom he had met, and what had happened to 
her. The first part was very well disguised, but as 

Q 


258 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


he went on a general whisper floated through the 
room. Kathie Alston ! Kathie Alston ! ” and the 
voices grew more merry and distinct, while all eyes 
turned to Kathie’s blushing face. 

“And although it has been decided to call the 
place Cedarwood, — a name both pretty and appro- 
priate, — there will be to some of us a dearer appel- 
lation, a kind of pet name that will bring a tender 
remembrance of these pleasant incidents, and this is 
' Kathie’s Fairy-land.’ So let us wish its young mis- 
tress health, prosperity, and a long, happy life ! ” 

“ Hurrah ! ” exclaimed Harry Cox, in his good- 
natured, boisterous way. 

There was a tremendous response to this. Kathie 
was glad to hide her blushing face behind Miss Jessie. 

“ I am afraid you will have Kathie quite spoiled,” 
exclaimed Mrs. Alston, rather anxiously. 

“ Then we shall all have to go to work and reform 
her,” returned Mr. Meredith, smiling. “ But it seems 
to me that she has discovered some of the true pur- 
poses of life, and will not be easily led astray. There 
is a vein of gravity in her that one does not often 
find in happy, healthful children, a kind of ballast 
that will carry her safely over dangerous seas.” 

“ I hope it may,” was the fervent reply. 


A HOUSE-WARMING. 


259 


“ Why, it is just like a book,” declared Mary Cox, 
half devouring Kathie with kisses when she found 
her. “ I should like to live here forever and ever.” 

The children crowded round and wished her all 
manner of good things. It hardly seemed possible 
that this could be little Kathie, who wore faded 
dresses at school and used to sit in the house and sew 
while other girls played. 

There followed a general dispersion from the sup- 
per-room, and they were all surprised to find it so 
late. It was high time for the party to break up, so 
Mrs. Alston made no effort to detain the children, 
the feminine portion of which began to hunt up 
shawls, hats, and various dainty wraps, confessing 
their supreme enjoyment with every other breath. 
Yet it was a long while before the last good-bys 
were said. The children crowded around Kathie as 
if they were afraid she might be spirited away, and 
they all felt that she was the dearest and sweetest 
little girl in the world. 

Kathie and Uncle Eobert stood on the balcony 
watching Mr. Morrison put out the lamps. Great 
sheets of silvery moonlight quivered over the lawn, 
and the golden stars twinkled up above, tender-eyed, 
and with fond benedictions. 


260 


KATHIE’S THREE WISHES. 


“0 Uncle Eobert, what a lovely time we have 
had ! ” she exclaimed. “ It does n’t seem as if any- 
thing so wonderful could happen to me, of aU others. 
And Mr. Meredith was right, — it fairy-land and 
)^ou are my darling prince ! ” 

He stooped and kissed her fondly. 

And you are better than any fairy,” said Mr. 
Meredith, joining them, — ''a little girl who found 
the charm of a true, generous life even in poverty. 
May God keep you as pure and simple-hearted in 
prosperity ! ” 

There were tears in her eyes as she kissed her 
mother and Aunt Euth, for her heart seemed over- 
flowing with joy and gratitude. And she wondered 
if there had ever before been such a happy little girl 
in all the world. 

And here we must leave her for a brief whEe. 
That her future will have in it many joys, you can 
scarcely doubt. That it will also have duties, cares, 
and perplexities is but natural, since no life can ever 
be wholly perfect in this world. 

But with God to keep watch and ward I think we 
can safely trust her to tread any path. 


rooks 

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